FOR more than 25 years, the name Ally McCoist has been synonymous with the heyday of Rangers Football Club.

And now, with "Super Ally" tendering his resignation, an era has come to an end.

He has been a player, manager, TV presenter - and even a quiz show team captain - but he has also cemented his position as an Ibrox legend.

His football journey started when he was a 16-year-old training with St Mirren.

Just a year later, McCoist signed for St Johnstone and made his debut in April 1979, in a 3-0 win over Raith Rovers.

His form caught the attention of bosses at Sunderland, and 19-year-old McCoist signed for £400,000.

However, two years - and only a handful of goals - later, Rangers manager John Greig lured him back to Scotland.

During his 15 years, McCoist scored 28 hat-tricks, 251 league goals and 355 overall goals.

Twice he was named Europe's top goalscorer and went on to become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

He lifted the Scottish Premier Division title 10 times, and was part of the famous nine-in-a-row season victories, between 1988 and 1997.

McCoist also won the Scottish League Cup nine times .

He racked up almost 30 goals against rivals Celtic, including a famous hat-trick in the 1983-84 League Cup final, and the nickname "Super Ally" was coined by legions of Light Blue fans.

Internationally, he scored 19 goals and earned 61 caps.

But, it was his Scotland career that led to a first of two leg breaks.

McCoist was stretched off against Portugal in 1993, ruling himself out Rangers' treble winning season in 1993.

But later that he year he won the League Cup final with a magnificent overhead kick against Hibernian.

In 1994, he was awarded an MBEfor his services to football.

Two years later, his Rangers career was drawing to a close as Walter Smith's men battled for 10-in-a-row. However, they fell short.

McCoist went on to score in his last appearance for the Ibrox side, but it was to be in vain as Hearts lifted the trophy.

Next, he moved to Kilmarnock, but the second leg break put a halt to any potential progress.

Aged 38, he retired from playing. His final match was when Kilmarnock played Celtic in 2007.

He had a brief interlude as a team captain on the BBC's A Question of Sport before returning to Ibrox with legend Smith.

At the start of the 2011-12 season, McCoist took over the Rangers reigns from Smith.

But just as he hit his stride as a manager, Rangers were plunged into financial turmoil.

Sir David Murray sold Rangers to Craig Whyte for £1 in May 2011, but the club went into administration in February 2012.

Disappointment on the pitch was mirrored off the pitch.

HM Revenue and Customs refused Rangers' attempt to exit administration by way of a company voluntary arrangement and liquidation followed.

In 2012, Charles Green, and his consortium, bought Rangers for £5.5m and the club was forced into the bottom tier of Scottish football.

At the time, McCoist said: "I fully accept the decision and thank them for allowing us into the SFL.

"Clearly, starting again from the bottom league is not ideal and makes the task of rebuilding Rangers a longer one."

A host of big name players soon left Ibrox, but "Super Ally" won the backing of fans once again when he said: "We don't do walking away".

Under his leadership, Rangers have continued to climb through the ranks of Scottish football.

However, this season Rangers fell nine points behind Scottish Championship leaders Hearts, and were humiliated in the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Alloa Athletic,who came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

The pressure continued to rise and more financial difficulties, as well as a huge fall in attendances at Ibrox put McCoist in a difficult position.

Rangers have taken out loans from shareholder and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, much to the dismay of fans' groups.

As well as challenged off the pitch, Rangers now face one of the biggest games in their history.

The Ibrox side will play Celtic in the League Cup semi-final tie against at Hampden on Sunday 1 February.

But having offered his resignation, Rangers may find themselves without "Super Ally" as they re-enter the Old Firm powder keg.