Tom Forsyth: Tributes to former Rangers defender and hero of 1973 Scottish Cup final

Ibrox club and Motherwell salute defender known as ‘Jaws’

Tom Forsyth, who scored the late winner, celebrates Rangers' 3-2 win over Celtic in the 1973 Scottish Cup final. Picture: SNS

Former Rangers and Motherwell defender Tom Forsyth has died at the age of 71.

Forsyth famously scored the winner for the Ibrox club in the 1973 Scottish Cup final as Rangers beat Celtic 3-2. After Derek Johnstone headed against a post, the ball crept along the line and on to the other post, and Forsyth was on hand to put it into the net. “I was so excited I nearly missed it,” he said afterwards.

Forsyth, who won 22 caps for Scotland, had made his name during a five-year spell at Motherwell before heading to Govan. Both Rangers and the Fir Park side paid their condolonces last night.

A Rangers statement said: “Everyone at Rangers Football Club is sad to learn of the news that our former player, Tom Forsyth, has passed away this evening. We pass on our heartfelt condolences to the entire family circle at this difficult time.”

Motherwell said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Motherwell player and assistant manager Tam Forsyth.”

Forsyth played for Motherwell between 1967 and 1972 before being signed by Rangers, for whom he played for the rest of his career.

The defender made 326 appearances for the Ibrox club, and was part of the treble-winning sides in 1976 and 1978 under the management of Jock Wallace.

Nicknamed ‘Jaws’, Forsyth played for Scotland at the 1978 World Cup in Argentina as the country missed out on qualifying from the group stage on goal difference.

After hanging up his boots, Forsyth went on to manage Dunfermline and was also assistant manager to former team-mate Tommy McLean at Greenock Morton, Motherwell and Hearts.