In the early years of his career wearing a number 9 shirt on his back at his new club he is not a popular player with the fans at all. He eventually wins them over when he scores a hat trick against Celtic in the Cup Final where he received his first nine winners medals and a couple of nicknames including “Super Ally” and “The Greatest Ever Ranger”. These came around in the semi-final of the 91/92 Scottish Cup once again against Celtic. The Gers were down to 10 men and playing the worst football in the clubs history. Shortly after half-time Ally coolly scores the winning goal. After this wonderful period, Rangers begin to struggle. As a result a new manager was brought in to the club and the fight to victory begins. Rangers then win 10 leagues in a row with the help of Mc Coist’s goal scoring phenomenon. Every time Ally was off the bench (which was almost every game) he scored at least one goal. New manager Greame Souness then formed “The Mo Partnership” with Ally and Maurice Johnson a fellow midfielder. The two of them were amazing together and were practically un-defietable. Greame Souness and Ally then had a disagreement and the striker was constantly on the bench, not understanding why! This was when an unwanted nickname of Ally’s appeared he was known as “The Judge” this was also partly because Mark Hately had joined the team and was some competition for the Mr Mc Coist’s spot on the champion side. Unfortunately Ally’s career at Rangers was beginning to come to a stand still. To show how much he was loved at Rangers 42,000 people packed into the newly refurbished Ibrox stadium for his testimonial in August 93. After his testimonial news was heard that surprisingly his career at Rangers was still not over and he was there for a further 5 years. Rangers had lost their 9 in a row to Celtic and then lost the Scottish Cup final to them also although Ally did score a goal. After the match he showed his disappointment by sitting on the grass and his eyes welling up with tears. This was his last ever match for Rangers. In the summer of 2000 Kilmarnock FC bought him where he ends his 22-year football career.
Although his football was over Ally was still an entertainer and is to this day a captain of “A Question of Sport” game show and half-time match analysist. He has released a number of comedy and sport videos including “Still having a Ball”, “ Ally Mc Coist” and the newest arrival “ Mc Coists trials and errors”. Ally has also had a taste of Hollywood with his film “A Shot at Glory” which was a great success.
All through his life he has had a number of achievements. He broke many goal-scoring records including the Rangers club record of 355 goals with an average of 30 per season in a total of 581 games. He achieved Jimmy Smiths “all time all game” record of 419 goals, broke both Premier Division scoring record and finally Post War league goals record. Super Ally had 61 caps for Scotland and scored 19 goals. For his services to the game he received an MBE in 1994 along with the UEFA golden boot, which he won twice. At the time he was the only Scottish player to do so. It would be impossible to list all of Ally’s achievements in one short biography so the above are the most important.
In the very little time that Ally has spare he enjoys horse riding. Ally has 3 horses one that is a racehorse and 2 retired racehorses. Their names are “Super Ally”, “Bluey” and “Fudge”. He also likes to take his dog Archie for walks around his countryside home in Firmachin Estate near Bishopton. As he is a retired footballer it is natural for him to find it hard to stay off the pitch or not kick a ball so he also enjoys playing and teaching his 3 sons Alexander, Argylle and Mitchell how to play football.
One of Mc Coist’s biggest events in his life was his international debut against Netherlands on 29th April 1986 where he proves to be a true blue shirt and a Scottish hero. His greatest ever match was against Dynamo Kiev in the European Cup of 87 where Ally scored 2 goals with the final score being 2-0 to Rangers. Once again proving to be an excellent footballer. All through his career he had both ups and downs. One of the worst times in his career was when he broke his leg just before France 98 in the World Cup qualifier in Lisbon. He had aimed to be part of the team for the last time before his 35th birthday but all failed due to his leg injury. Without Ally on the squad the team never made it past the first round! A few days before the beginning of France 98 he became a proud father of twin boys. Unfortunately one of them was born with a hole in his heart. Mitchell Mc Coist who is now 3 years old had many operations before his first birthday and will have to continue this all through his life.
Generally Ally has always got a smile on his face or cracking a joke that shows he lives life to the full. He is quoted to have said “ You only have one chance at life so make the most of it”. Before Mitchell was born Ally didn’t realise how valuable life was and now appreciates it so much more and doesn’t miss any opportunities. Therefore he lives life to the full.
Ally’s biggest dream is that his son Mitchell will make it through life with not too many disturbances and that his children lives will be as good and as prosperous as his has been so far. His least important dream is for Scotland to win the World Cup but he accepts this will never happen, as it would help if they qualified first. He would also like to see one of his boys follow in their “daddy’s” footsteps and become a professional footballer.
Some general information about my hero is that his perfect happiness would be a Sunday lunch with his family. His greatest fear is his son Argylle. His idol is Robert the Bruce and he admires his son Mitchell the most. Finally his happiest time is when he is on a football pitch kicking a ball around.
Overall I chose Alistair Mc Coist as my hero because I admire him for his determination throughout his career as a footballer and also the trials in his personal life that he has overcome including him having the will to save his marriage. Everyday life for me is meeting my hero at the shops and I feel privileged to do so.