RangersMedia Player of the Year 2012/13 - Lee Wallace!

[Gaz92 966]

Earlier this month members of RangersMedia were casting their votes for the RangersMedia Player of the Year 2012/13.

Carlos Bocanegra was the lucky man to receive the award last year, but this season's contest was a bit more of a one-man affair!

Lewis Macleod and Andy Little finished in joint 3rd, with 16% of the votes, Super Lee was the runner up with 24%, but the winner, with an impressive 38% of the RangersMedia votes, was Lee Wallace!

It has become an unwritten rule in modern football that loyalty is all but dead in the water. Players sign for a club, they speak of the passion, the fans, and the brilliance of the place, but as soon as a bigger offer comes in, they are back out the door at the blink of an eye. This theory was, in the whole, backed up last summer as a group of players that claimed themselves to be Rangers fans walked out the door at the first chance – seizing on an opportunity of a bigger cheque.

In amongst all the controversy and the players leaving stood Lee Wallace. As Rangers took the very first small step back to the top, Lee Wallace was amongst the first three senior players to commit themselves by transferring over to the “newco”. Alongside Kyle Hutton, a player still developing as a footballer, and Lee McCulloch, a player entering the twilight of his career, Wallace showed a loyalty that others couldn’t. There was no security and no stability at this point, and the way in which Lee signed up as he enters the prime of his career cannot be praised highly enough. Jeopardizing a national career and perhaps the opportunity of a bigger wage plying his trade in the English leagues, the former Hearts man took a risk that will see his story recounted for future generations. This within itself deserves to be honoured, and since then, Lee Wallace has represented the club with the upmost professionalism and pride.

Where others have struggled to find the motivation to perform at their highest level this year, Lee Wallace is a player that has shown a consistency and a drive matched by few others. His role at left back has been one of a very select few positions that have been almost an automatic choice, and one of a few players that the fans feel they can rely on to perform at their highest level on a consistent basis. In the way an Arthur Numan or a Sasa Papac has done in recent years, Lee Wallace has made the Rangers left back slot his own. His forward-thinking play and drive has been a great source of creation for the team this year, and has been as important as his role as arguably one of the only reliable defender Rangers have at the moment. His loyalty and professionalism has been rewarded with the role of vice-captain of the club, and when captain, Lee McCulloch has been missing through injury, Wallace has stepped into the most coveted of roles. His contribution has been telling, and his three goals from left-back cannot be forgotten about.

At the age of 25, Lee Wallace has once more demonstrated his talent as arguably the best left back Scotland has to offer. He has consistently shown he is one of the fittest players currently plying their trade at Rangers, and he has a drive and motivation to match. His balance of a flying left back and attending to his defensive duties has lead to his development into a ‘fans favourite’. But perhaps more importantly, his commitment has spoken volumes. With the best years of his career still to come, Lee Wallace may already have written himself into a bit of Rangers history, but there is so much else he is capable of. As one of the few players looking worthy of leading the club back to the top flight once more, Lee Wallace has the chance in the coming years to solidify himself as a Rangers Legend.

Congratulations to Lee Wallace, RangersMedia’s Player of the Year 2012/13!

Before the home match against Peterhead, three lucky RangersMedia members were ready and waiting in the historic Ibrox tunnel, to present the award to Lee.

No.12, Broxi and feda16 had won the chance to meet Lee (and the near enough the rest of the first team as it turned out!) by expressing their interest in the Player of the Year voting thread, and their names were picked at random out of the hat.

Lee was delighted with the award and thanked all the RangersMedia members who voted for him!

[DarcheVinny 1,003]

Well done Lee!

Hope the boys enjoyed their day as well! As well as Lee Wallace, they got to meet, Durrant, McCoist, Black, Templeton, Little, Hegarty, Mitchell, Naismith and Captain Super Lee himself!

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

Defence has been shit this season. I went for Big Jig!

[feda16 136]

Thanks to RM and all those involved in todays events. Regardless of the score this is truly a special day in my life and without this site, its supporters and contributors it wouldn't have been possible. I thank you all for a wonderful day, regardless of result!

[Dunny_01 2,007]

well done boys and well done lee wallace

[No.12 508]

Fantastic, cheers for the opportunity Darche, had a great day.

Also, nice meeting you all.

[racoon 66]

were the lads in the louden im sure i spoke to them

[No.12 508]

We were in the WRC mate.

[FernandoR20 2,133]

Well deserved, nice one

[elephants stoned 2,994]

Well done to Lee and the lads who presented him with the award

[Gaz92 966]

Glad you had a good day, guys.

[julescotia 11,407]

Congratulations Lee, well deserved.

Glad you guys had a great day, regardless of the result

[Rangers#1 5,461]

Glad you all had a great day