Richard Gough
Richard Charles Gough is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a defender.
Gough was first noticed 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 captained Tottenham Hotspur in the 1987 FA Cup Final. He then captained Rangers to nine successive Scottish league titles. He also played for Scotland 61 times and played in the finals of three major international tournaments.
Gough had a brief spell as manager of Livingston and is currently global ambassador for Rangers.
Early life
Born to a Scottish father and a Swedish mother, Gough grew up in South Africa. He went to school at King Edward VII and Highlands North High School in Johannesburg, and began his career playing with the Wits University club.Playing career
Club
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 signed for Dundee United in February 1980. He played for Dundee United for six seasons finishing with 23 goals in 165 appearances. 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.
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 decided to return to Scotland, joining Rangers early in the 1987–88 season. In making the move he 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. 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 league games with Rangers, scoring 37 goals.
In May 1997, Gough left the United Kingdom to play in the United States' nascent professional league, Major League Soccer, signing for Kansas City Wizards. In October 1997, he returned to Rangers due to injury issues at Ibrox. He resumed his MLS career with the San Jose Clash. He played 36 games in total in MLS, scored 2 goals and he was named in the MLS Best XI for his 1997 season with the Wizards. 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 60 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.
International
Gough was also a regular in the Scotland national team in the 1980s. He made his debut against Switzerland in 1983, and went on to gain 61 caps. Gough played in two World Cups. He captained his country in the 1992 European Championships in his birthplace, Sweden.Gough scored six international goals. In 1985, he scored the only goal of the game when Scotland beat England 1–0 at Hampden Park. 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.
Managerial career
On 30 November 2004, Gough landed his first and only managerial position with the then Scottish Premier League side Livingston. After a difficult season where the club battled relegation, Gough resigned and cited disagreements with the club's owner over the budget for signing players as the reason. The club was also fined £15,000 by the SFA for a breach of transfer regulations over the signing of Hassan Kachloul during Gough's time as manager although there was no suggestion that Gough himself was responsible for the breach of regulations.Later career
Gough supported the Rangers Supporters' Trust and Dave King's boardroom takeover of Rangers International Football Club PLC and was later appointed as a global ambassador for the club on 21 September 2015.Personal life
Gough has resided in San Diego, California, since 1997.Career statistics
International appearances
International goals
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 16 June 1983 | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 2. | 25 May 1985 | Hampden Park, Glasgow | 1–0 | 1–0 | 1985 Rous Cup | |
| 3. | 26 March 1986 | Hampden Park, Glasgow | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly | |
| 4. | 8 February 1989 | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol | 2–2 | 3–2 | 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 5. | 8 February 1989 | Tsirion Stadium, Limassol | 3–2 | 3–2 | 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 6. | 13 November 1991 | Hampden Park, Glasgow | 2–0 | 4–0 | UEFA Euro 1992 qualification |
Honours
Club
Dundee United- Scottish Premier Division: 1982–83
- Scottish Premier Division: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97
- Scottish Cup: 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96
- Scottish League Cup: 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97
Individual
- SPFA Players' Player of the Year: 1985–86
- SFWA Footballer of the Year: 1988–89
- Scottish Football Hall of Fame
- Scotland national football team roll of honour : 1990