Derek McInnes has revealed he spoke about the chance to take over at Rangers with Walter Smith "at length" before turning down the job.
Back in 2017, the then Aberdeen boss appeared to be on the brink of taking over as manager at Ibrox.
However, in the end he would knock back the approach from his former side to continue his tenure at Pittodrie.
And McInnes has revealed that one of his first calls was to legendary boss Smith when making the decision to remain in the Granite City,
The former Dons and Bristol City boss also opened up on his final conversation with the iconic former Scotland boss in another brilliant tribute to the Rangers icon.
Writing in his Mail on Sunday column, McInnes said: "Whenever I had a big career decision to make, Walter Smith was my first phone call. Sometimes my only phone call.
"His words carried more weight than anybody else's and he was a brilliant listener, too.
"While I was managing Aberdeen, opportunities arose at Sunderland and Rangers and I discussed it all at length with the gaffer.
"He was always there in my corner and had my back every step of the way. He was a great confidante.
"We last spoke when he called me ten days ago for a chat. He was more interested in talking about me than his own health.
"I told him I was enjoying my life, getting to spend more time at home with Nicola and the boys, and doing my media work.
"And yet I also admitted to wondering about when and where the next managerial opportunity might arise.
"He told me I had earned the right to enjoy myself after so many years with barely a break. He told me not to feel guilty about not working.
"He asked if I wanted to come over to the house for a coffee the following week and joked that we might even be able to get a beer if he was allowed.
"I was delighted to accept. There was no inkling that we were speaking for the final time.
"Instead, I've been left to ponder and enjoy my own memories of the man who did so much to shape my career."
