Ian McMillan (footballer)


John Livingstone "Ian" McMillan is a Scottish former footballer who played for Airdrieonians, Rangers and the Scotland national team.

Playing career

McMillan was born in Airdrie. Nicknamed "The Wee Prime Minister", he started his career with local club Airdrieonians in 1948 where he would go on to become a club legend. He scored 102 goals in 249 league appearances over ten years for the club in this spell, in the role of scheming inside-forward.
McMillan was at Rangers from 1958 until 1964, making 127 league appearances and 200 in all competitions, including the 1961 European Cup Winners' Cup Final. The Gers lost out in that tie to Fiorentina, but his spell was otherwise very successful, featuring four Scottish League titles, three Scottish Cup winner's medals, and two from the Scottish League Cup. Despite his prominent role at a major club, he also continued to work in his other profession as a quantity surveyor as he had done as a part-time player.
He returned to Airdrieonians in 1964 where he would remain for a further two years, though affected by injuries.

International

He was capped six times by the Scotland national team between 1952 and 1961, scoring twice – both against the United States in April 1952. McMillan was in Scotland's 22-man 1954 World Cup squad, but the SFA decided to take only 13 of the group to the finals, with McMillan staying at home on reserve with the likes of Bobby Combe and Jimmy Binning.

After playing

McMillan later managed Airdrieonians between 1970 and 1976, taking them to 1975 Scottish Cup Final. He is currently Honorary president of the current Airdrieonians, a club that was formed as 'Airdrie United' after the original Airdrieonians went out of business in 2002.
He is the grandfather of modern-day player, Iain Russell.

Career statistics

International appearances

International goals

Honours