Former Celtic manager John Barnes has paid tribute to Walter Smith, calling the Rangers legend a loss to the world of football.
The Nine In A Row winning manager passed away this week at the age of 73, leading to an outpouring of grief from across Scottish football.
Though he was a Rangers icon there was plenty of respect for Smith across the Glasgow divide, particularly after he and Ally McCoist were pallbearers for Tommy Burns ' funeral.
Barnes didn't come against the former Scotland boss in his brief spell at Celtic, but he did have occasion to spend time with him.
And the former England international paid tribute to the man who will be remembered as one of Rangers' greatest ever figures.
Barnes told BonusCodeBets : "I did a couple of shows with Walter Smith and he was just a proper footballing man.
"He was a great guy, tough but fair. He knew how to treat people and all the players loved him. He was a humble guy, a great manager and a great person, everyone says that about him.
“As much as he managed big clubs like Everton and Rangers, he was empathetic and kind.
"It’s a great loss to his family first and foremost, but also to the world of football.”
