An authentic piece of silverware commemorating Rangers' ninth consecutive title victory in the 1990s was sold at auction for £20,600. The Bell's Whisky League Championship Trophy from the 1996-1997 season went under the hammer at McTear's auction house in Glasgow, with bidding starting at £9,000.

Rangers secured their ninth Scottish Premier League title on May 7, 1997, with a 1-0 victory over Dundee United, thanks to a header from Danish forward Brian Laudrup. This triumph equalled Celtic's record of nine consecutive titles from 1965 to 1974.

The trophy was presented to Rangers captain Richard Gough on the pitch, with star players like Ally McCoist and Paul Gascoigne celebrating the historic win. Laudrup's goal not only sealed the victory but also earned him the title of Scotland's Player of the Year for the second time.

McTear's, one of the UK's oldest independent auction houses, confirmed the trophy's authenticity, noting it came with the original box and paperwork from the Scottish Football Museum. The 21-centimetre wide trophy was estimated to sell for between £9,000 and £12,000 but ultimately fetched £16,000 before additional fees brought the total to £20,600.

A McTear's spokesperson described the trophy as a remarkable piece of Rangers and Scottish football memorabilia, marking one of the most impressive achievements in the club's history. The buyer chose to remain anonymous.

In addition to the nine-in-a-row trophy, the auction featured other significant items, including a Rangers Hall of Fame Trophy posthumously awarded to Davie Cooper, a rare Rangers programme from a 1947 match against Clyde, and a Coronation Cup Final programme from the 1953 clash between Celtic and Newcastle.

Rangers are now preparing to face Greek side Panathinaikos in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League next month, marking Russell Martin's first competitive game as head coach.