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Proud Beginnings, Part 4:
Jim Baxter

Jim Baxter walking off with the Cup final match ball after a Rangers Celtic game

Baxter came from the mining town of Hill of Beath in Fife. He worked in the coalmines until becoming a full-time player for Raith Rovers, before joining Rangers in June 1960. He was a major part of the successful Rangers side of the time, winning three Championships, three Scottish Cups in a row from 1962-64 and four League Cups.

Among his international appearances were two victories over England at Wembley in which he dominated. The first was a 2-1 win in 1963 when he scored both goals driving a Scotland team that was down to 10 men and the second was a 3-2 victory in an important European Championship qualifier in 1967. His performance that day is typified by him juggling the ball, defying the English players to take it off him.

He won 34 caps for Scotland, and is considered by some to be the best Scottish player.

A mark of the respect held for him by all supporters was the banner held after his death by Celtic fans:
"Slim Jim. Simply the best."

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