Richard Gough

Charles Richard gough (born 5 April 1962) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a defender.

gough signed for Charlton Athletic as an apprentice professional in July 1978.

However, he returned to play for Wits University for a brief period in 1979.

gough played in the successful Dundee United team of the early 1980s, winning the Scottish league title in 1982–83 and reaching the European Cup semi-final in 1984.

gough signed for Dundee United in February 1980.

He played for Dundee United for six seasons finishing with 23 goals in 165 appearances.

gough was also a regular in the Scotland national team in the 1980s.

gough helped them to the Scottish League title in 1982–83.

Dundee United also reached the 1983–84 European Cup semi-final against Roma during his time at the club.

He made his debut against Switzerland in 1983, and went on to gain 61 caps.

In 1985, he scored the only goal of the game when Scotland beat England 1–0 at Hampden Park.

gough joined Tottenham Hotspur in 1986 and captained them in the 1987 FA Cup Final.

He then moved to Rangers and captained them to nine successive Scottish league titles.

He subsequently had spells with Kansas City Wizards, Rangers again, San Jose Clash, Nottingham Forest (on loan) and Everton.

He won 61 international caps for Scotland and played in the finals of three major tournaments.

gough had a brief spell as manager of Livingston.

He is currently an ambassador for Rangers.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden to a Scottish father (former Charlton Athletic player Charlie gough) and a Swedish mother, gough grew up in South Africa.

He attended King Edward VII and Highlands North High School in Johannesburg, and began his career playing with the Wits University club.

In 1986, gough was sold to English First Division club Tottenham Hotspur for £750,000 He played for slightly over a year and captained the Tottenham team which lost to Coventry City in the 1987 FA Cup Final.

gough played in two World Cups (1986 and 1990).

gough returned to Scotland, joining Rangers early in the 1987–88 season, and became the first Scottish player to be transferred to a Scottish team for over £1,000,000.

His debut was at Tannadice Park, in a defeat against former club Dundee United.

He was named the SFWA Footballer of the Year in 1988–89.

He scored two goals in February 1989 in a 3–2 World Cup qualifier win away to Cyprus, with the second being scored in the sixth minute of added time.

His international career was ended prematurely however, after he was critical of coaches Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown and withdrew himself from further selection.

He captained his country in the 1992 European Championships in his birthplace, Sweden.

gough scored six international goals.

gough remained at Ibrox until 1997, captaining the side that achieved nine consecutive League titles.

He won 9 league titles, 3 Scottish Cups and 6 League Cups at Rangers.

In all, he played 427 games with Rangers, scoring 37 goals.

In May 1997, gough moved to Kansas City Wizards, in the United States' nascent professional league, Major League Soccer.

In October 1997, he returned to Rangers due to injury issues at Ibrox.

He played 36 games in total in MLS, scored 2 goals and was named in the MLS Best XI for his 1997 season with the Wizards.

He resumed his MLS career with the San Jose Clash in 1998.

gough also went on loan to Nottingham Forest from March until May 1999, playing seven matches as the club was relegated.

After leaving San Jose Clash he linked up with former boss Walter Smith at Everton.

He played two seasons at Goodison Park making 38 appearances and scoring once against Southampton.

During his time at Everton he was made captain for the 2000–01 season and retired from playing in May 2001.

gough agreed to play as a guest for Australian team Northern Spirit in October 2001, but had to withdraw due to injury.