11-05-2025
Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero
He made a bigger impact at Gers than expected
OLD FRIENDS REUNITED Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A GROUP of Rangers legends reunited this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most famous moment's in the club's history.
And among them was a certain cult hero who fans have rarely heard from - or even seen - since he left Ibrox.
Sign up for the Rangers newsletter
Sign up
4
Can you name all the players in this picture?
4
Rangers celebrate winning the title in 2004-05
Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow
The year 2025 marks 20 years since Helicopter Sunday, when the Light Blues pulled off a miracle to snatch the Premiership title from Celtic's grasp on the final day of the season.
Heading into the last game of the campaign, Celtic were ahead on points by 92 to 90.
Gers beat Hibs 1-0 in Edinburgh thanks to a goal from Nacho Novo but with the Hoops winning by the same scoreline at Motherwell it looked like they would retain their league crown.
But two stunning late strikes from Scott McDonald tipped the race in the favour of Rangers, as Celtic went down 2-1 at Fir Park.
The famous line in commentary - 'The helicopter is changing direction' - was immediately etched in Scottish football folklore, as the aircraft carrying the league trophy was forced to about turn from Lanarkshire and head to the capital.
That day ranks as one of the most iconic in the history of Rangers and the players involved almost immediately gained hero status.
Five Stars Limited organised a tribute night and invited six players from the squad to the event, held at the Hilton DoubleTree in Glasgow.
The former stars appeared on stage alongside former boss Alex McLeish, each of them answering questions and talking about their own experiences of that odds-defying day.
Novo and McLeish were joined by Marvin Andrews, Thomas Buffel, Alex Rae and current interim boss Barry Ferguson, who had only just rejoined Gers in the second half of the Helicopter Sunday season.
And the final member of the group was ex-goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus.
Rangers fans defiant banner after tifo criticism
The Dutchman has scarcely been seen in Scotland since his departure from Rangers a year after Helicopter Sunday.
He initially joined Gers in the 2005 January transfer window from Manchester City due to an injury to Stefan Klos.
A member of PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie-winning teams of the late nineties and early noughties, Waterreus eventually took over the No.1 jersey from German international Klos.
He left with a rising Allan McGregor ready to step in between the sticks and would go on to play for AZ Alkmaar and New York Red Bulls before retiring.
Now 54, he has kept a relatively low profile since hanging up his gloves, save for the odd media appearance and briefly venturing into the world of business with his own goalie glove company.
Waterreus also played in the testimonial for Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen, who was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease.
He looked barely recognisable from his time at Gers at the Five Stars event, his trademark messy and curly locks now ditched for a slick, wavy look.
Five Stars thanked the fans who attended and described the do as a "great evening".
The company said in a social media post: "A great evening spent with some legends of the club commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 'Helicopter Sunday'.
"Thank you to everyone who joined us. We hope you had a good time."
4
Ronald Waterreus during his Rangers days
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
4
Waterreus can be seen in the second row, third from the left
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
