Ian Murray says Rangers have lost "a huge icon" after Walter Smith's death, and paid tribute to his former boss' honesty and integrity.
Smith sadly passed away last week, aged 73, which has been a tremendous shock to the whole of Scottish football.
Ex-Rangers, Hibs and Norwich utility player Murray was at Ibrox when Smith returned to manage the team in 2007, before the player left for Norwich City.
Murray also played for Scotland under Smith.
Now boss at Airdrie, Murray says Rangers, Scottish football and Lanark-born Smith's family have lost a huge figure.
He said: "I was very sad to hear the news.
"I worked with Walter at Rangers and Scotland, so two different places, and I had so much respect for him, and his integrity and his honesty was probably the greatest thing.
"I was playing under him for not too long [at Rangers], but he was as honest as the day is long with players, and it's so important.
"He knew exactly what he wanted as well on the pitch, and if you didn't give it to him he would tell you!
"We knew he was ill, we knew he was struggling a little bit, but when you get that news through it still shocks you and saddens you greatly.
"Walter had a season ticket down at Dumbarton when I was there [as manager, 2012-15], so I used to enjoy when he came to the games.
"He was a huge figure in Scottish football, I think that's evident since he passed away, with how many people have been mourning his death.
"Rangers have lost a huge icon as well and his family have lost a great man."
Murray added: "The terms 'legend' and 'icon' are banded about these days, and that's no disrespect to anybody, but Walter was a complete Rangers man, icon and legend, managing the club and winning so many trophies over the two spells, and also what he did for the national team. He steadied the ship a bit, gave loads of young players an opportunity, and we got some great results.
"It's not just sad for Rangers Football Club, and not even for Scottish football, but the most important thing as well is that it's very sad for his family."
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