George Niven

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George Niven
Personal information
Full name George Niven
Date of birth ?
Place of birth    Blairhall, Scotland
Playing position Goalkeeper (Retired)
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1951-1962
1962-1969
Rangers
Partick Thistle
221 (0)
182 (0)   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

George Niven (born Blairhall) is a former Scottish footballer who played during the 1950s and 60s for Rangers and Partick Thistle. He is perhaps best known as Rangers Hampden in the sun goalkeeper.

Niven was signed to Rangers from junior side Coupar Angus in 1951 by manager Bill Struth. He made his debut against Aberdeen on 19 April 1952 in the final league match of the season, the match ended 1-1.

He spent over ten years at Ibrox and won five league championships, two Scottish Cups, one League Cup, four Glasgow Cup's and three Charity Cups. He made 327 appearances in total for the club.

In February 1962 he joined Partick Thistle. Whilst in Maryhill he would make a total of 232 first class appearances and become an ever present in the Jags goal. He never missed a league match in three separate season, 1962-63, 1963-64 and 1967-68.

He lost his place as number one when old rival from Rangers, Billy Ritchie joined Thistle. After not featuring in the first team all season (his last game coming as a 0-0 draw at Airdrie in April '68), he left in the summer of 1969. Niven retired from playing shortly after this