Tributes have poured in from all corners of British football in response to the sad news of Walter Smith's death aged 73.
A former manager of Rangers, Everton and the Scotland national side - it was at Ibrox where Smith achieved true hero status having secured an astonishing 21 trophies across two spells at the club.
Smith oversaw seven of Rangers' famous 'nine-in-a-row run' of league titles in the 1990's before returning in 2007.
Wedged between those two stints at Ibrox was a four-year spell in charge of Everton and a two-year reign as national team boss.
He also spent a few months as assistant manager to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United from March 2004, helping the Red Devils to FA Cup glory.
Upon his return to Rangers in 2007, he guided the club to three more league titles and an appearance in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
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Following news of his death, Manchester United took to twitter to write: "Everyone at Manchester United is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Walter Smith.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Walter's friends and family at this extremely difficult time."
Ex-United defender Gary Neville echoed his former side's sentiments, writing: "Terribly sad news about Walter Smith."
Ally McCoist, who played under Smith at Rangers, paid an emotional tribute on talkSPORT, explaining: “He means everything to a lot of folk, myself included.
"He was my boss, my coach, my second father and then turned into one of my best friends," McCoist revealed.
"The loss is absolutely incredible.
"However, the good thing is he’s not in pain. I went to see Walter recently, I spoke to him on Saturday and was going to see him again on Sunday but he was too unwell. I know Graeme [Souness] was up seeing Walter at the weekend, too.
"We knew that sadly there was an inevitability about this horrible illness, we did know that it would be a matter of time. However, it still does not take away the pain and the grief.
"At this moment in time, all I can think about is his wife Ethel, Neil and Steven and his grandkids.
"All Walter would have wanted is another few years to watch those grandkids play football and spend a lot of time with Jessica and them all, and sadly that’s the most painful thing right now.
"I could sit here and tell you about Walter Smith until the cows come home, about how good a manager, how good a coach, how good a football man he was.
"But what I will say is he was the best husband, the best father, the best friend – everything you’d expect in a man.
"It’s a tragedy today. I can’t tell you how devastated I am. Absolutely devastated.”
Liverpool left-back and fellow Scotsman Andy Robertson took to Twitter to pay tribute, writing: "Thoughts, prayers and condolences with Walter Smith’s family and loved ones today.
"Heartbreaking to lose another great of Scottish football. A man of wisdom, dignity and integrity whose legacy will live on. May he rest in peace."
Scotland and Liverpool icon Sir Kenny Dalglish wrote: "Marina and my heartfelt sympathies are with Walter’s wife Ethel and his boys.
"Though we were on opposing sides on the pitch, he was a real footballing friend off of it.
"He was respected by all and one of the few able to transcend rivalries. Today we have lost a truly great man. RIP."
