About Neilly Gibson
Lived 1873 – 1947 (aged 73–74). Neilly Gibson was a British association football player.
Neil Gibson (23 February 1873 – January 1947) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Rangers, Partick Thistle and the Scotland national team.
Career Adept at playing in either left or right wing half position, Gibson joined Rangers in 1894 from local Larkhall side Royal Albert, where he had been for only a few months after moving from Junior team Larkhall Thistle. During his time at Ibrox, he won four consecutive league titles (1898–99 (in which the team won all 18 fixtures), 1899–1900, 1900–01 and 1901–02) as well as the Scottish Cup in 1896–97, 1897–98, and 1902–03 plus five Glasgow Cups and three Glasgow Merchants Charity Cups.
He moved to Partick Thistle in 1904, where he remained for five years.
He was capped 14 times by Scotland between 1895 and 1905, scoring one goal. Gibson also represented the Scottish League XI 11 times.
Former Hibernian manager Willie McCartney stated that Gibson was "The greatest of my, and any generation following, in Scottish football", Steve Bloomer of Derby County and England described him as "The greatest footballer I ever saw", and Gibson's artistry led Harry Wood to dub him "Pavlova in football boots".
International International goals
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 27 March 1897 Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow 2–0 5–1 1897 British Home Championship
Personal life His three sons, Willie, Neil and Jimmy, were also footballers, the latter a Scottish international.
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Important facts
People in Neilly Gibson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Neilly Gibson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Neilly Gibson?
Scottish footballer (1873-1947)
When was Neilly Gibson born?
Neilly Gibson was born on 23 February 1873 in Larkhall.
When did Neilly Gibson die?
Neilly Gibson died in 1947 in Larkhall.
What was Neilly Gibson's occupation?
Neilly Gibson was an association football player.
What nationality was Neilly Gibson?
Neilly Gibson was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Neilly Gibson. https://biography.guide/neilly-gibson/
MLA: "Neilly Gibson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/neilly-gibson/.
Chicago: "Neilly Gibson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/neilly-gibson/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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