Ally McCoist: Height, Age, Career, and Key Facts

Few footballers have transitioned from the pitch to the commentary box as smoothly as Ally McCoist. But while his voice is familiar to millions, some basic facts about the Rangers legend remain surprisingly unclear.

Full name: Alistair Murdoch McCoist ·
Date of birth: 24 September 1962 ·
Height: 1.78 m ·
Position: Centre-Forward ·
Goals for Rangers: 355 ·
European Golden Boots: 2

Seven key facts, one pattern: every major milestone in McCoist’s career is tied to Rangers, but his post-playing life has been just as eventful.

How tall is Ally McCoist?

Height from Transfermarkt

Multiple databases agree on McCoist’s height. Transfermarkt (football statistics platform) lists him at 1.78 m, while National Football Teams (international football database) gives the same figure. That’s roughly 5 ft 10 in – average for a centre-forward in his era.

Comparison to average footballer height

The average height of a male footballer in the 1980s and 1990s was around 1.80 m, so McCoist sits just below it. FootballDatabase.eu (European football stats site) also records 1.78 m, confirming the consistency across sources.

The implication: his height did not hinder his goal-scoring output.

How old is Ally McCoist?

Born 24 September 1962

McCoist was born on 24 September 1962 in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland, according to BBC Sport (UK public service broadcaster). That makes him 63 years old in 2025. His full name, Alistair Murdoch McCoist, is recorded by the Scottish Football Museum (national football heritage institution).

Current age as of 2025

Turning 63 in September 2025, McCoist remains active in media. The Scottish Football Museum notes he was inducted into their Hall of Fame, a testament to his enduring legacy.

The pattern: his age is well-documented, and his media career shows no signs of slowing.

What teams did Ally McCoist play for?

Early career at St Johnstone

McCoist began his professional career at St Johnstone after moving from Fir Park Boys Club. The Telegraph (UK newspaper) reports he joined St Johnstone before making the switch to Rangers in 1983.

Rangers FC – his principal club

He spent 15 years at Rangers, scoring 355 goals in 581 matches – a club record that still stands, per Scottish Football Museum. BBC Sport specifies 251 of those goals came in the league. During his tenure, he won eight league championships, nine Scottish League Cups, and one Scottish Cup.

Scotland national team

McCoist earned 61 caps and scored 19 goals for Scotland, according to National Football Teams. He represented his country at the 1990 World Cup and the 1992 and 1996 European Championships, as noted by the Scottish Football Museum.

Later career at Kilmarnock

After leaving Rangers in 1998, McCoist played for Kilmarnock until 2001, adding a further 50-odd appearances before retiring. FitbaStats (Rangers-specific statistics database) lists his Rangers debut on 10 August 1983 and his first goal 17 days later.

What this means: his career arc is almost entirely tied to Rangers, where he became a legend.

What is Ally McCoist doing now?

TV punditry for TNT Sports and ITV Football

McCoist is a familiar face on British television, working as a pundit for TNT Sports and ITV Football (via his official website). His warm, knowledgeable analysis has made him a fan favourite.

Radio work with talkSPORT

He also appears regularly on talkSPORT radio, where he co-hosts shows and offers match commentary.

Social media presence

McCoist’s Instagram account @allymccoist9 (verified personal account) has over 597,000 followers, where he posts behind-the-scenes content from his media work and personal life.

The catch: his media work keeps him in the public eye just as much as his playing days did.

What incurable illness does Ally McCoist have?

Origin of the rumor

Search queries about an “incurable illness” attached to McCoist appear to stem from an unfounded rumor. BBC Sport (UK broadcaster) – the most comprehensive biographical source – makes no mention of any serious health condition. Neither does the Scottish Football Museum.

No confirmed diagnosis

No credible tier-1 or tier-2 source has reported that McCoist has any incurable illness. Public figures occasionally face false health rumors, and this appears to be one of them.

McCoist’s public health statements

McCoist has not publicly disclosed any serious health condition. His continued active media schedule – appearing on TV, radio, and social media – suggests he is in good health. The rumor lacks any evidentiary basis.

The implication: rely on verified sources, not echo chambers, to separate fact from fiction.

For the millions of football fans who grew up watching McCoist score for Rangers, the transition to pundit has been a natural extension. But the persistence of the illness rumor reveals a gap: no single authoritative page exists that debunks it. For the curious reader, the implication is clear: rely on verified sources like BBC Sport and the Scottish Football Museum, not echo chambers. The consequence for McCoist is that his legacy remains defined by goals, not gossip.

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