TRIBUTES poured in today for Rangers legend Colin Jackson who has died of cancer.

 

He was 68.

Close friend and former team-mate John Greig revealed the London-born defender had been ill for "some time".

Jackson, who won 11 major honours during his 19-year spell at Ibrox, died peacefully on Saturday night surrounded by his family.

Today, fans and former players of the Ibrox club paid tribute to the former football star they called "a fine player and an even better man".

Light Blues legend Greig said: "I have known for some time how ill Colin was.

"But I am devastated by the news that he has passed away.

"I have lost a great friend and my thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."

The towering centre-half - dubbed Bombers by Rangers' supporters - represented the club more than 500 times between 1963 and 1982.

Gers fans will remember him for his winning goal in the League Cup Final in season 1978/79 as he headed home in the last minute to beat Aberdeen.

Jackson missed out on a place in the starting line-up for the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup triumph in Barcelona after failing a fitness test on the morning of the game.

But he played an instrumental role for Rangers during his illustrious career and was a familiar face around Ibrox for many years.

He retired in the summer of 1983 and set up a printing business in East Kilbride.

Rangers chairman Dave King said: "On behalf of everyone at Rangers Football Club I would like to send my sincere condolences to Colin's family and friends at this very sad time.

"Colin will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

Jackson, who was capped eight times for Scotland, was also on the books of Greenock Morton and Partick Thistle.

He is survived by daughter Victoria, son Christopher and wife Pam.