Alan Ball, Alan Mullery & Frank McLintock on the Genius of Rangers & Scotland Legend Jim Baxter

Alan Ball, Alan Mullery & Frank McLintock Debating Rangers & Scotland Legend Jim Baxter for an All Time British XI
"Baxter is generally regarded as one of Scotland's greatest ever players.
He was noted for accurate passes, for sending opponents the wrong way with a swivel of his hips, and for inspiring teammates with his confident approach.
He attracted attention by his stylish play, controlling the game with "unhurried artistry".
He refused to conform with the "efficient" style that dominated British football or the energetic, physical style that was typical of Rangers at the time.
Indeed, although Rangers insisted that players tuck their shirts completely into their shorts, Baxter always let part of his dangle over his left hip.
He described his approach to playing football as "treating the ball like a woman.
Give it a cuddle, caress it a wee bit, take your time, and you'll get the required response".
Baxter played most of his best football in his early twenties, before the leg fracture against Rapid Vienna in December 1964 and the start of his heavy drinking that made his nickname "Slim Jim" less appropriate.
He was also noted as a joker on the pitch.
After the replay of the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic in 1963 he stuffed the match ball up his shirt and later gave it to a new member of the team. The SFA insisted that the ball should be returned, and Rangers sent them a ball, but possibly not the match ball.
Most famously, during Scotland's 3-2 win over England in 1967, he taunted his opponents by playing "keepie uppie" during the game"
"In October 1963, which may have been Baxter's best year overall, he played for the "Rest of the world" in a match against England to celebrate the centenary of The Football Association.
He came on to the field in the second half, and his performance won the admiration of Ferenc Puskás. However England won the match 2-1."
"Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson described Baxter as "arguably the best player to play in Scottish football" and "the greatest player I ever played with ...
He had touch, balance, vision and just this wonderful aura ...
" Rangers manager Willie Waddell said, "Jim was the finest left half ever produced by Rangers."
Jimmy Johnstone, who played for Rangers' great rivals Celtic, said shortly after Baxter's death, "He was a great man and a genius on the ball."
Allegedly Pelé once said that Baxter should have been a Brazilian.
After Baxter's performance in the 1963 "rest of the world" vs England match, Ferenc Puskás asked, "Where has this fellow been hiding?"
Shortly before his own death, George Best named Baxter as one of the best eleven players he had played with or against in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine"