Ally McCoist has paid an emotional tribute to Walter Smith after the previous Scotland and Rangers supervisor died on the age of 73.
The previous striker performed for Rangers throughout Smith's first spell as their supervisor and was equally profitable as Smith's assistant supervisor between 2007 and 2011 earlier than taking the highest job himself.
And McCoist, talking on talkSPORT, mentioned Smith's passing had left him 'devastated'.
He mentioned: 'He means every little thing to lots of folks, myself included. He was my boss, my coach, my second father after which become one in all my finest associates.
'The loss is totally unbelievable to inform you the reality.
'The great factor is he is not in ache. I went to see Walter just lately, I spoke to him on Saturday and I used to be going to see him on Sunday however he was too unwell and there was an inevitability about this horrible sickness and we knew that it will be a matter of time.
'Nonetheless, it nonetheless doesn't take away the ache and the grief.
'I may sit right here and inform you about Walter Smith till the cows come dwelling, about how good a supervisor, how good a coach and a soccer man he was.
'However what I'll say he was one of the best husband, father, buddy, every little thing you'd count on from a person.
'I am unable to inform you how devastated I'm.'
McCoist was already a prolific striker for Rangers when Smith got here in as right-hand man to Graeme Souness in April 1986.
However McCoist had not gained the Scottish Premier Division - with Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen facet within the ascendant - till Souness and Smith took over.
He would develop into the crew's principal supply of targets as they gained a succession of league titles below Smith, who took over as supervisor from Souness in 1991.
McCoist joined the Scotland teaching workers below Smith in 2004 and when his mentor returned to the Ibrox put up in January 2007, he moved too as his assistant.
Throughout that point, Rangers moved forward of Outdated Agency rivals Celtic as Scotland's extra profitable crew, profitable three league titles, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups between 2007 and 2011.
The pair additionally guided Rangers to the ultimate of the UEFA Cup in 2008, once they misplaced 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg.
McCoist revealed how Smith helped him develop his teaching abilities by taking cost of preparation and coaching for sure Scottish Cup video games.
When Smith left Ibrox in 2011, McCoist took over however his time as supervisor coincided with Rangers coming into administration and being demoted to the Third Division.
McCoist led them again to the second tier earlier than leaving the put up in December 2014.
He added: 'He was one of the best, by some appreciable distance. I used to be 17 after I first performed below him for the Scottish youth crew.
'I can nonetheless bear in mind locking him out on a balcony as a 17-year-old in Monte Carlo and him giving me that look and I let him in in a short time!
'In the event you'll permit me to say he was old fashioned as a result of occasions have moved on however the one factor Walter was, he was 100 per cent sincere and truthful.
'If he was saying one thing to you, he wasn't saying it for impact, he was saying it for a cause as a result of it needed to be mentioned.
'He was essentially the most real of males. He had a depraved sense of humour and he was sensible to be round.
'He was beloved by everybody, and throughout the divide, make no mistake about that.
'We love soccer rivalry, however my telephone's been unbelievable simply now with Celtic associates and supporters, he was only a soccer man. Clearly a Rangers man, together with Mr [Bill] Struth the best supervisor within the membership's historical past.
'It can take a wee whereas to sink in.
'A sore loser, however appreciated dropping was a part of the sport and dealt with all of it with a lot dignity and sophistication.'
