Sandy Jardine dead: Former Rangers, Hearts and Scotland footballer dies aged 65

Sandy Jardine has died from cancer, aged 65.

The former Ranger, Hearts and Scotland footballer lost his 18-month fight with cancer on Thursday evening.

A statement posted on the Rangers website said that he “passed away peacefully surrounded by his family”. He is survived by his wife, Shona, two children, Steven and Nicola, and grandchildren.

“There have been many great names associated with Rangers Football Club in our 142 year history and Sandy is a Rangers legend in every sense of the word,” said current Rangers manager Ally McCoist.

“We are all devastated by the news he has passed away, we have lost a great man today.

He played for his country 38 times and was part of Rangers’s European Cup Winners’ Cup team. He joined Rangers in 1965 and played for the Ibrox side over 600 times. One of his teammates was Alex Ferguson, who – along with his wife, Cathy - paid tribute to his former colleague today.

“From Cathy and I, this is some of the worst news we have heard,” he said. “Sandy was a noble and courageous man,” said Ferguson.

“The respect he is held in at Rangers is immense. He was one of the greatest players ever to wear the jersey. To Shona and family, we express our sympathy and sadness.”

In 1982, Jardine joined Hearts, later becoming joint-manager with Alex MacDonald between 1986 and 1988. He was named Scotland’s Player of the Year twice during his lengthy career.

“I had the privilege of watching Sandy playing for Rangers when I was a young boy,” continued McCoist in his tribute. “I had enjoyed the pleasure of working with him closely since I returned to the Club in 2007 and he was a truly remarkable human being.

“His achievements both on and off the pitch are second to none and I was honoured to regard him as a friend. He gave everything for this great club and worked tirelessly in a number of roles because he wanted to ensure the traditions, history and standards at Rangers were maintained.

“He was respected not only by Rangers fans but also the wider football community and he is a huge loss to the game. We will never see his like again in the modern era.”

After his on-pitch career ended, Jardine held various roles at Rangers – within public relations, as well as marketing and sales. In November 2012, it was confirmed that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

Campbell Ogilvie, the Scottish FA President, added his condolences.

"I am extremely saddened by the news of Sandy's passing,” he said.

"I have known him for more than 40 years and found him to be as warm and courteous off the field as he was reliable and elegant on it.

"As well as being a talisman for both Rangers and Heart of Midlothian during an illustrious and enduring playing career, he was also a terrific servant to the Scotland national team."