ALLY McCOIST has paid his own tribute to Sasa Papac and insists he will always be welcome back at Rangers.
The Bosnian defender waved an emotional farewell to Ibrox at the weekend after announcing he was leaving the club after six seasons in Light Blue.
Papac has been an integral part of the Gers squad after being signed by Paul Le Guen from Austria Vienna in 2006, and McCoist was full of praise of the 32-year-old.
He said: "Sasa has been a wonderful servant to the football club. He is a great pro and just a good human being with a lovely family.
"Sasa has decided it is time for him to head home and we thanked him for what he has done for the club.
"He thanked the club, the fans and the city in return because Rangers is a special club to him. He told me that.
"He was sad, but he's appreciative of the fact nothing goes on forever.
There will always be a door open for him at Rangers. If he wants to come back here, whether it's to watch the lads play, train or whatever he wants to do, he'll be welcome."
McCoist admits he was desperate to play Papac at Ibrox one final time but his possible need for groin surgery stopped him.
The manager added: "There was a temptation to give him more than a minute or two last weekend, to be honest.
"He's really struggling, though, and I think he's going to see his international doctor to see if there's maybe an operation required there.
"It would have been lovely to play him at Ibrox one final time but that was never a possibility, I'm afraid."