EX-RANGERS player Arnold Peralta has been shot dead.

The 26-year-old was gunned down in  a drive-by shooting at a shopping centre car park in Honduras on Thursday.

Police are now probing the motive for the brutal killing. No arrests have been made.

RIP Arnie: Once a Ranger, always a Ranger 

Peralta's devastated father, Carlos, confirmed his son had been killed.

He said: "They killed my exemplary son."

The midfielder is understood to have been visiting his hometown of La Ceiba as his team Club Deportivo Olimpia's season was finished.

His 18-month stay with the Ibrox club ended in January.  A statement from the Rangers Supporters Trust said the former Ibrox star's killing was "awful".

It added: "Thoughts with friends and family."

Scores of Gers fans took to social media to pay tribute to the player.

One wrote: "Shocking news about Arnold Peralta.

"Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. RIP."

Another added: "He will be remembered as part of our journey back to the top."

Peralta was expected to play for the Honduran national side in their friendly against Cuba next week.

The country is plagued by violence and has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Police have already ruled out robbery as a potential motive as none of Peralta's personal belongings were taken.

Officers said they were hunting two possible suspects.