Scottish Premiership champions Rangers are in mourning following the sudden dying of beloved kitman Jimmy Bell.
The information has come as an enormous shock to the Ibrox membership, because the 69-year-old from Wishaw was working proper up till Sunday's 1-1 derby draw at Celtic.
Mr Bell, who initially labored as a bus driver for Parks of Hamilton earlier than taking up as kitman simply earlier than Graeme Souness took the supervisor's job in 1986, labored underneath 11 completely different Rangers managers.
An announcement issued by Rangers this morning learn: "Rangers Soccer Membership are right now devastated to announce the dying of our much-loved, legendary package man, Jimmy Bell.
"Jimmy, who has served the membership for over 30 years and been a buddy and confidant to quite a few generations of gamers and workers, shall be so sadly missed by everybody on the Rangers Soccer Membership.
"A former worker of Parks’ of Hamilton, Jimmy initially drove the Rangers staff buses to matches throughout the nation, earlier than transferring on to his present function as first staff head of package."
Within the assertion, Rangers chairman Douglas Park stated: "As a membership, we're completely devastated to be taught of the lack of our colleague and extra importantly, our expensive buddy, Jimmy Bell.
"Jimmy devoted his life to Rangers Soccer Membership. Having labored underneath managers from Graeme Souness by means of to Giovanni, he skilled a few of the best days in our 150-year historical past. In fact, he was right here throughout a few of the lowest factors, and confirmed selfless dedication, whatever the problem forward of him.
“Jimmy’s work ethic was second to none. He devoted numerous hours to preparation for every coaching session and sport. No job was too huge or too small for him, and he thrived on working for his boyhood membership.
“I spoke with Jimmy recurrently, having recognized him from his time as a mechanic and bus driver at Park’s. He was excited for Thursday night time’s sport at Ibrox, significantly having skilled a European semi-final earlier than underneath Walter Smith.
“Rangers, and Scottish soccer as a complete, have misplaced a legend and a buddy right now. He was a household man, a faithful father, grandfather and husband. Jimmy shall be sorely missed and I ship our heartfelt condolences to your entire Bell household at this troublesome time on behalf of Rangers Soccer Membership.”
The assertion concluded: "Please respect the privateness of the Bell household at this troublesome time. Funeral preparations shall be communicated in the end."
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