Steven Gerrard has delivered an emotional tribute to former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
The Frenchman sadly passed away on Monday at the age of 73, with tributes pouring in from across the football world.
Houllier was in charge at Liverpool between 1998 and 2004 and won six trophies in total that included a treble in 2001.
The Reds legend played a particularly vital role in Gerrard's development at Anfield, handing him his Premier League debut as he progressed through the academy ranks.
Houllier also named Gerrard as the Liverpool captain at the age of 23, with the skipper repaying his boss by playing a huge role in their 2001 treble win as they claimed the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup.
Gerrard has previously spoken about Houllier's impact on his coaching philosophy at Rangers and delivered a glowing tribute to his former boss.
"Yesterday was a really tough day for myself and Gary McAllister," Gerrard said at his Rangers press conference.
"Gerard played a huge role in both our careers and also our lives. The news yesterday was really difficult to take, a huge blow.
"We came in yesterday morning feeling really happy after our result at the weekend and then to receive that news was a bitter blow. He was a special man, a caring man, a loving man.
"He was more than just a manager. Throughout your career, different people look after you and shape you in your younger days. Then they pass you onto the first-team staff which was Gerard Houllier, Phil Thompson, Sammy Lee, who did an incredible job for me in terms of where I was at from an age and also a player.
"Gerard was at the forefront of that in terms of shaping me into a better player, a better person, a better leader. I've got an awful lot to thank the man for and I'm finding it really hard to come to terms with right now."
