Ally McCoist has paid an emotional tribute to former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager Walter Smith.
Rangers announced on Tuesday morning that Smith, a club icon, had passed away aged 73.
McCoist won 10 Scottish league titles with Rangers under Smith. He was also his assistant as Scotland manager.
"He means everything to a lot of folk, myself included," McCoist told Talksport.
"He was my boss, my coach, my second father and then turned into one of my best friends. The loss is absolutely incredible.
"However, the good thing is he’s not in pain. We 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."
“He was my boss, my coach, my second father. He became one of my best friends.”
“It can’t take away the pain and grief.” 💔
Ally McCoist pays an emotional tribute to #RangersFC legend Walter Smith. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/kQRP6ZdXF5— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 26, 2021
McCoist first encountered Smith at under-17 level.
"The one thing Walter was, was he was 100 per cent honest and fair," he said.
"If he said something to you, he wasn’t saying it for effect, he was saying it for a reason. He was saying it because it had to be said.
"He was just the most genuine of men. He was hard, fair, honest and he had an absolutely wicked sense of humour. He was just brilliant to be around.
"He was loved by everyone, and across the divide, make no mistake about that.
"We love football rivalry, but my phone’s been incredible just now with Celtic friends and supporters."
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