The Books
BLUE AND WHITE DYNAMITE - THE IAN DURRANT STORY
IT'S hard to believe that it is 22 years since the first book I worked on together with a footballer was published.
Looking back and reading it now I will always feel it could have been so much more polished but it told the raw and emotional story of a truly great Rangers midfielder.
Ian Durrant's career was blighted by one horrendous tackle, one uncharacteristic moment of malice from Aberdeen rival Neil Simpson that left the Gers star's cruciate ligament in tatters.
This was the story of Ian's rise to fame at the club he loved, that horror injury and his battle back and all the peaks and troughs of his life playing for club and country.
Durranty had it all, as Graeme Souness said he possessed the potential to be a Serie A superstar. Yet I could never look on his tale as only one of what might have been. He still produced so much and more than enough to be remembered as an Ibrox legend.
THE GOALIE - MY STORY ANDY GORAM WITH IAIN KING
This is the story of a genius with flaws. Lots of them. On the field, Andy Goram was a defiant figure between the sticks who, in many ways, defined the history-making nine-in-a-row team that brought so much success to Ibrox; off it, he careered through three divorces and a welter of lurid tabloid headlines.
In this no-holds-barred account, Goram lifts the lid on his tempestuous life in football, from the Gers' glory days to a fairytale chapter with his boyhood heroes: Manchester United. His life in the Old Firm is examined in depth, from the saves that broke former Celtic manager Tommy Burns' heart to a story that was buried until now: Celtic's astonishing bid to sign him.
Goram's Scotland career ended in bitterness when he walked out on the squad before France 98, and here he smashes the myths that have always surrounded his relationships with Craig Brown and Jim Leighton.
This is the inside story of the man the fans voted Rangers' greatest-ever goalkeeper. He remains a genius with flaws: a legend simply known as The Goalie.
BLUE - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BARRY FERGUSON WITH IAIN KING
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BARRY FERGUSON was the most gifted Scottish soccer player of his generation, the heartbeat of Rangers, and the captain of his country.
He grew up in the spotlight, but the fans knew only his public face. Here, a star who is notoriously protective of his privacy opens his heart and delivers a no-holds-barred account of his controversial career. Featuring Ferguson's take on all aspects of his eventful journey so far, this title includes details on the firing of Lorenzo Amoruso as the Rangers captain and Ferguson's appointment at the age of only 22; the horrifying night of violence when he was bottled in the face after being sent off in a 6-2 Old Firm defeat; his venture into the Premiership after signing for Blackburn Rovers in 2003; the bust-up that followed with Rangers chairman David Murray; the despair and agony of the broken kneecap he feared had ended his career; and the eventual elation he felt on his return to his boyhood heroes.
Ferguson also reveals the details of his secret wedding to Margaret, his Catholic bride, and his pride when his career was recognized by the Queen. Candid and frank, the man behind the headlines is revealed in full.
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JOHN HARTSON'S CELTIC DREAM TEAM WITH IAIN KING
HE'S got no hair but we don't care, walking in a Hartson wonderland.'
That famous song was belted out 110 times around Celtic Park as big bad John became one of a select band of players to score a century of goals in the famous green and white Hoops.
Now in his typical no-holds-barred style, the former Arsenal and Wales striker tackles the mission of naming his best ever Celtic eleven.
Along with new anecdotes from his time at Celtic Park under Martin O'Neill and alongside legendary team-mates such as Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton, John Hartson's Celtic Dream Team discusses the best Celtic has on offer from the illustrious greats of the past right through to the modern era.
They all have a chance of being in Hartson's starting eleven - but who will earn the right to play? This is his list of legends, chosen by a player who fought back from the brink of death and won his battle with cancer and a place in the hearts of millions.
Full of humour, stories and football wisdom, this is a book no Celtic fan should miss. And find out what Celtic manager Neil Lennon thinks of his former team-mate's choices . . .
9 - THE STORY OF RANGERS' NINE IN A ROW BY IAIN KING
WRITING this book 23 years ago was a highly pressurised adventure.
My partners at First Press Publishing decided they wanted the story of Rangers reaching the fabled nine successive championships to hit the stores as quickly as possible after the 9 was clinched.
In the event a week after Brian Laudrup rose to meet Charlie Miller's cross at Tannadice to head home and secure a 1-0 win over Dundee United and seal it the book was published.
The format proved popular, we chose a pivotal figure from each of the nine seasons and I interviewed them and took a journey through the highs and lows of the campaigns with them.
Pictured on the right here are former England icon Paul Gascoigne - the man behind 8 in a row - and Rangers' greatest ever goalscorer Ally McCoist who was a mainstay of the historic feat.
Both players have chapters in this book which was the first I ever had published. It was surreal to see it on the shelves afterwards.
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THE 100 GREATEST RANGERS BY IAIN KING
THIS was the final chapter of my first publishing contract, a three-book agreement with First Press Publishing and it was a lot of fun to write.
I enjoyed the historical aspect of researching players from way back in the club's storied past and met some incredible characters doing the interviews like Mark Hateley (pictured left).
This book holds special memories as it spawned a lucrative awards dinner that I attended with my late dad Matt and my brothers and friends. Dad got to meet his heroes Jimmy Millar and Ralph Brand - the best gift I ever gave him.
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