manager, 1972–73, was the club's centenary year. After taking over the first-team manager's position on 31 May 1972, Wallace set about reshaping the side. He moved on Colin Stein and Willie Johnston to Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, respectively, bringing in Quinton Young, Joe Mason and Tom Forsyth. After a stuttering start to the league campaign, including three defeats and a draw from their first six matches, Rangers' fortunes improved. From October to the end of the season, they suffered only one league defeat, at home to Hearts on 2 December 1972, and went on a run of sixteen victories; however, this run was not enough to beat Celtic to the championship. The Hoops claimed the title by a single point. In the cup competitions, Rangers' Scottish Cup campaign culminated in a 3–2 win over Celtic. The final was attended by Princess Alexandra along with 122,714 other spectators. It was Rangers' first success in the competition in seven years. Their League Cup run was ended in the semi-finals at the hands of Hibernian after a single-goal defeat. The 1972–73 season also saw inaugural competition in the European Super Cup. The side played the European Cup holders Ajax in January 1973. The Dutch side were the only continental opposition Rangers faced that season due to the club's European competition ban. Ajax recorded a 6–3 aggregate win, with Rangers losing 1–3 at Ibrox and 3–2 in Amsterdam. In the summer of 1973, Rangers chairman John Lawerence retired and was replaced by vice-chairman Matt Taylor. A nine-year period of Celtic dominance in the league was ended in 1974–75 as Rangers captured what was to be the last championship of its kind. The new ten-team Scottish Premier Division saw Rangers crowned inaugural champions, as part of a triumphant domestic treble. A barren season followed in 1976–77, however. Jock Wallace presided over the club's fourth domestic treble, and their second in three years, in 1977–78. During the close season, Rangers spent heavily in the transfer market, bringing in Davie Cooper from Clydebank for £100,000 and Gordon Smith from Kilmarnock for £65,000. They were joined at the club by Bobby Russell, who arrived from Shettleston Juniors on a free transfer. Despite these expensive signings, Rangers did not make the best start to the league campaign, losing the opening two matches to Aberdeen and Hibernian. Order was restored the following week with a 4–0 defeat of