by ANDREW MUIRHEAD

Former Rangers and Scotland legend Sandy Jardine has died at the age of 65, following an 18-month battle with cancer.

The 65-year-old was regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest ever full backs, winning 38 caps, and was one of Rangers most decorated players.

Jardine spent five decades at the Ibrox side, as a player and latterly behind the scenes in a non-playing capacity. He won three league titles, five Scottish Cups and five League Cups and was also an integral part of the Rangers side that won the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup after defeating Dynamo Moscow in Barcelona.

In 1986, he became co-manager of Hearts alongside Alex MacDonald and the duo were a mere three goals away from securing the league title for the Edinburgh side, only to lose out in dramatic fashion to Celtic after a last-day defeat to Dundee.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist paid tribute to Jardine saying: “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. We are all devastated by the news he has passed away, we have lost a great man today.

“I had the privilege of watching Sandy playing for Rangers when I was a young boy, 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.”

Scottish FA president, Campbell Ogilvie, added: “I am extremely saddened by the news of Sandy’s passing. 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.”