Rangers chairman Douglas Park led the tributes after legendary Walter Smith died at the age of 73.
A titan of Scottish football, the Ibrox club announced that the nine-in-a-row boss passed away on Tuesday.
Smith underwent surgery in March of this year but was back out in public last month when he attended a charity golf event at Loch Lomond.
But the club said in a statement that Smith had passed away. They said: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our former manager, chairman and club legend, Walter Smith.”
Smith managed his boyhood heroes during the 1990s after succeeding Graeme Souness who he assisted at the Light Blues and led the club to an historic nine consecutive titles.
He departed Ibrox and managed Everton and the Scotland national team before returning for a second spell as Rangers boss.
He won 21 major trophies in total during two stints manager and also led the club to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester where they lost to Zenit St Petersburg.
As a player, Smith started out at Dundee United before joining Dumbarton and returned to Tannadice for a second spell.
He moved into coaching and assisted the legendary Jim McLean before the lure of Rangers was too strong to resist when Souness invited him to join him at Ibrox in 1986.
Rangers chairman Douglas Park said: “On behalf of the Rangers board of directors, staff and players, I convey my deep condolences to the Smith family.
“Walter leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren, all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
“It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers. He embodied everything that a Ranger should be.
“His character and leadership was second to none, and will love long in the memory of everyone he worked with during the his two terms as first team manager.
“I spoke with Walter as recently as last weekend. Even when he was battling illness, he was still able to provide advice and support.
“For that, I am personally grateful. I know that he continued also to maintain dialogue with senior members of staff, including our managers Steven Gerrard.
“Walter will be sorely missed by all of us at Rangers.”
Former Rangers boss Mark Warburton said: "Devastating news to hear of the sad passing of Walter Smith. A man who was always on hand to help with advice and support. My thoughts and condolences are with his family at this most difficult time."
Smith bridged the Old Firm divide and was a pallbearer, along with Ally McCoist, at the funeral of Celtic legend Tommy Burns when he died in 2008.
And ex-Celtic striker Frank McAvennie said: "Sad news this morning, Walter Smith has passed away and will be missed by so many people (if you met Walter you liked him simple as that) RIP mate, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Scottish Premiership rivals St Johnstone also said in a statement: "Everyone at St Johnstone's thoughts are with the friends and family of Walter Smith during this sad time.
"Walter was a great manager for both club and country and will be a great loss to the game."
