The funeral of former Rangers captain Jock Shaw took place today at Daldowie Crematorium in Glasgow. Shaw had been suffering from a short-term illness and died at the age of 87.Jock, who was known to his team mates, opponents and admirers alike as Tiger, had a 50-year connection with Ibrox, first as a player, then reserve team trainer and, latterly, ground-staff member. He signed from Airdrie in 1938, for a fee of £2,000, and continued playing until 1954, by when he was 42. Jock, a craggy full-back and long-time captain of the club, won six caps for Scotland, one of them for appearing in the Victory International against England, alongside his brother, Davie of Hibs, in 1945.
Shaw was captain in that famous "Iron Curtain" defence which laid the foundations for the first Scottish Treble won by Rangers in 1948-49. The other members - who hardly varied from game to game - were Bobby Brown in goal, George Young at right back, Ian McColl right half, Willie Woodburn centre half and Sammy Cox at left half. The unit was formidable as Rangers won the League Cup Final 2-0 against Raith and the Scottish Cup Final 4-1 over Clyde. Rangers retained the Championship and beat East Fife 3-0 in the Scottish Cup Final in 1949-50. Shaw was 37, yet he played in 51 of Rangers 55 matches that season. It was a remarkable tribute to his fitness and durability at an age when most men would neither be able to withstand the knocks nor keep up the pace. By the next year, however, he had begun to wind down and played his last game in the 1952-53 season. He had won four Championships, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups. And undoubtedly, but for the war, there would have been more. Official records show that he played 238 games for Rangers although, counting those in which he featured during the Second World War, the figure is in excess of 500.
Jock is survived by his wife, Margaret, his daughter, also Margaret, son David and four grandchildren.
