Ted McMinn

Kevin Clifton "Ted" McMinn (born 28 September 1962) is a Scottish former association footballer who played as a winger.

His nickname is The Tin Man.

Born in Castle Douglas and raised in nearby Dumfries, McMinn was alleged by The Scotsman to be called 'Teddy' at school because he ran as if he had a teddy bear tucked under his arm.

In his autobiography McMinn stated it was because as a toddler he and his teddy bear were inseparable.

The opposition in the 2–2 draw was Rangers in a game to mark Queens' 75th anniversary and the opening of the new stand.

Other guests for Queens included Andy Thomson, Davie Irons and Rowan Alexander.

When later interviewed for the club, Jimmy Robertson, Alan Davidson and George Cloy were among those McMinn named as the best players he played beside at Palmerston.

Glasgow side Rangers, managed by Jock Wallace, signed him for £100,000.

His style of wing play quickly made McMinn a fans favourite at Ibrox as per previous Rangers wingers such as Davie Wilson, Willie Henderson, Willie Johnston and Davie Cooper.

McMinn started his playing career at Scottish junior side Glenafton Athletic in 1981.

McMinn joined Glenafton from Dumfries High School FPs along with teammate Stewart Cochrane.

McMinn returned to south-west Scotland joining Dumfries club Queen of the South in 1982.

At Queens he became a teammate of Cochrane's for the third time.

The transfer fee was, "£325 so that Glenafton could buy a new carpet for their club house and 1,000 Queens lottery tickets."

When McMinn debuted in 1982–83 it was for a Queens team who had just been relegated after one season in the middle of Scottish football's three divisions – a season where Willie Harkness and his fellow directors had decided to run the club without a manager and select the team themselves.

McMinn's debut was in the 1–1 draw versus Meadowbank Thistle on 6 November.

McMinn remained with Queens until October 1984.

McMinn's debut came as a substitute on Saturday, 13 October 1984 in a 2–0 win at St Mirren.

In McMinn's full Rangers debut against Dumbarton at Boghead he scored direct from a corner kick.

Former teammate Derek Ferguson recalled, "I'll never forget playing with Ted in a reserve game at Ibrox. He was running down the wing full speed and crossed the ball into the box. He just kept running so he had to jump over a wall into the Copland Road stand, carried on up the stairs then disappeared down the other side."

McMinn was also noted for his performances against Rangers' rivals Celtic, playing in a number of Old Firm matches including the 1986/87 League Cup final win.

Graeme Souness succeeded Jock Wallace as Rangers manager in April 1986.

Souness went on to remark, "How can I tell Ted McMinn what to do when he doesn't know what he's going to do?"

Rangers were Scottish Champions in 1986–87 for the first time in nine seasons.

Under Souness McMinn had not played enough league games to qualify for a medal.

McMinn was involved in an incident outside an East Kilbride nightclub in the early hours of 5 December 1986.

McMinn believes the incident led to his own removal from the club by his manager Graeme Souness.

McMinn later said of his time at Rangers, "Davie Cooper was my hero and we got on well."

He added, "I wasn't getting on with Souness. I was stepping out of line too often."

McMinn joined Spanish club Sevilla on 1 August 1987, again signed by Jock Wallace.

A Spanish journalist observed, "With his inelegant Tin Man running style, erratic crossing and unquenchable zest for lager, he was the soul of football.

He broke his leg three weeks after signing but he recovered to play 22 league games.

Wallace's departure from the club unsettled McMinn.

Despite public protests at his impending departure McMinn decided to return to the UK.

McMinn emulated fellow ex Queen of the South player Hughie Gallacher by joining Derby County.

This was on 5 February 1988 for £300,000 where he also became a fans favourite.

He arrived at the Baseball Ground in Derby's first season back in the First Division after a seven-year exile.

Arthur Cox landed the flying winger and was rewarded with a series of outstanding performances from the Scotsman.

McMinn's Derby debut came in a 2–1 defeat at Portsmouth the day after he signed.

McMinn returned to Palmerston Park under the new regime of Norman Blount to play for a Queen of the South select on 23 April 1995.