Ian Rush
Just don't tell him Italy is a foreign country
| Full name: | Ian James Rush |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: | October 20, 1961 |
| Clubs played for: | Chester, Liverpool, Juventus, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield United (loan), Wrexham, Sydney Olympic |
Club Career
Liverpool’s record goalscorer is widely regarded as the best striker ever to pull on the famous red jersey. Pace, anticipation and an ability to shoot equally well with either foot made him a potent threat – particularly in tandem with strike partner Kenny Dalglish.
Ian Rush became the game’s most expensive teenager when he signed at Anfield from Chester for £300,000 in 1980 and, bar an ill-fated one-year spell at Juventus, served the club with distinction for the next 16 years. He saw out his career with spells at various clubs including Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield United, finally retiring in 2000.
Club Stats
| Years | Clubs | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979-80 | Chester | 34 | 18 |
| 1980-87 | Liverpool | 224 | 139 |
| 1987-88 | Juventus | 29 | 7 |
| 1988-96 | Liverpool | 245 | 90 |
| 1996-97 | Leeds | 36 | 3 |
| 1997-98 | Newcastle | 10 | 0 |
| 1998 | Sheffield United (loan) | 4 | 0 |
| 1998-99 | Wrexham | 18 | 0 |
International Career
Although boasting a respectable international goal ratio of roughly one every two and a half games, Wales’ failure to qualify for a major tournament robbed Rush of appearing on the biggest stages of all. His first goals came against Scotland on May 21, 1980 and his last versus Estonia on May 23, 1994. His 28 goal tally remains a Welsh record.
International Career Stats
| Years | Clubs | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980-96 | Wales | 73 | 28 |
Managerial Career
Rush had a short but unsuccessful spell in chrage at his first club Chester City during the 2004/05 season, but resigned after the club sacked his deputy Mark Aizlewood. He also had a stint as striking coach at Liverpool.
Key Games
Everton 0-5 Liverpool (First Division, November 6, 1982)
Ever a thorn in the side of Merseyside rivals Everton, Rush's domination of the Toffees reached new heights in this Goodison Park encounter. An Alan Hansen pass split the home defence and Rush drilled the ball past Neville Southall. 1-0. Then the Welshman doubled the advantage with a deflected shot. Mark Lawrenson added a third before Rush completed his four goal haul, first latching onto a Kenny Dalglish cross from close range and then finishing off another through ball from his strike partner. Rush's quadruple remains a post-war record for goals by a single player in a Merseyside derby.
Liverpool 3-1 Everton (FA Cup final, May 10, 1986)
Already crowned League champions (Everton finished second), Liverpool sealed the Double with this 3-1 victory at Wembley. Gary Lineker had opened the scoring for the Toffees in the 27th minute but two goals from Rush in the 56th and 83rd minutes – either side of a Craig Johnston effort (62) – ensured a comfortable victory. Another notable landmark for Liverpool was that they also became the first FA Cup final team to line up without a single English player in their ranks.
Wales 1-0 West Germany (European Championship qualifier, June 5, 1991)
World Cup winners West Germany were unbeaten for 16 games and boasted a side brimming with talent like Andy Brehme, Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller. However, boosted by a vociferous home support, Wales manager Terry Yorath played a tactical masterstroke, playing his best three attackers – Rush, Dean Saunders and Mark Hughes – but dropping the latter into midfield. Aided by the sending off of Thomas Berthold, the Welsh held firm until 20 minutes from the end when a long ball from Paul Bodin found Rush in the clear and his shot flew over Bodo Illgner in the German goal. A famous win and a rare highlight in an ultimately frustrating international career.
Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | First Division Championship | 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1989-90 |
| FA Cup | 1986, 1989, 1992 | |
| European Cup | 1984 | |
| League Cup | 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995 | |
| PFA Player of the Year | 1984 | |
| Football Writers' Footballer of the Year | 1984 |
Did You Know...?
Rush is the second highest FA Cup scorer of all-time, with 44 goals (behind Henry Cursham of Notts County - 49 goals between 1877 and 1888).
He once famously remarked of his time in Italy - allegedly - that "it was like being in a foreign country!"
He originally turned down Liverpool's overtures. He recalls: "I was enjoying myself at Chester and I didn't think I was ready to go to such a big club with the sort of names they had. But they came back in for me towards the end of that summer and it was only when Bob Paisley invited me around Anfield and Melwood that I decided to give it a go."
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