Ibrox Disaster Memorial

Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow • 2001

This bronze sculpture stands at the Edmiston Drive facade of Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. It represents Rangers legend John Greig, voted the greatest ever Rangers player, and the team captain on the day of the infamous Ibrox Disaster of 1971. Towards the final whistle of a match between Rangers and their great "Old Firm" rivals Celtic, a late equalising goal for Rangers led to a crowd surge on stairwell 13 at the stadium, and in the ensuing tragedy 66 people lost their lives, with 140 injured. To mark the 30th anniversary of this terrible occassion Rangers Football Club decided to commission a commemorative sculpture which could act as a focal point for the grief felt by the bereaved.

Andy was initially contacted by Senga Murray, who was responsible for the murals painted inside the stadium's "blue room", and on her enquiry designed as series of proposals for the monument. John Greig was suggested due to his stature as a figurehead for the club and is posed as though in a minute's silence. He has an armband of respect on his sleeve, and looks down and round towards where the disaster unfolded. The sculpture is mounted on a plinth of red facing brick which matches that of the stadium facade, and commemorative plaques bearing the names of the deceased from 1971, and of two other tragedies at the stadium.

Andy was assisted by long-time friend and portrait sculptor Alison Bell, and the artwork was cast by Beltane Foundry of Peebles.

Andy's association with Rangers continued in 2005 when he was commissioned to create a commemorative bust of Bill Struth, the club's longest serving manager. This sculpture stands on the half-landing on the grand oak & marble staircase inside the main stand front entrance.

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