FORMER Rangers star Colin McAdam has died after suffering a heart attack.

He was 61.

The Ibrox striker - who also played as a central defender - was known as 'The Beast' by fans of the Ibrox club and Partick Thistle, with whom he had two spells.

He scored 32 goals in 99 games for Rangers and had the rare honour of playing against his brother, Tom, in an Old Firm game.

Colin signed for Rangers in 1980 after leaving Partick Thistle under freedom of contract.

He was the first player to have his transfer price determined by a tribunal, which set a fee of £165,000.

Rangers legend Derek Johnstone, who played alongside Colin, said: "Colin was a great lad and a good friend. He always gave 100% on the pitch and was fearless.

"I am devastated by this news and my thoughts are with Colin's family."

It is understood Colin was taken to hospital having suffered a heart attack, but died on Thursday.

Rangers' manager Ally McCoist said: "It's terrible news and a real shock.

"Big Beastie looked after me big time when I first came to Rangers.

"Right at the start, when things weren't going well for me, he was a real help to me.

"We are all thinking about Colin's family.

"He was a model pro, he was a school teacher, he was always healthy, he never drank.

"I hadn't seen all that much of him over the past few years. The last time would have been at the club's 140th birthday celebrations in December, when he and a lot of the old players were out on the park.

"He was whole-hearted, committed … Jock Wallace's perfect kind of player.

"Fearless, absolutely fearless. I always attempted to get on his team in the five-a-sides in training."

Colin also played for Dumbarton, Motherwell and Hearts.

He retired from competitive football in 1990 after turning out for Irvine Meadow and Maryhill.

He worked as a PE teacher before, during and after his playing days.

Partick Thistle's general manager, Ian Maxwell, said: "Many of the Thistle people I speak to always talked highly of Colin.

"I remember him being a very powerful and strong player who gave opposing centre halves a very tough afternoon.

"I was sad to hear of his passing at just 61 years of age. On top of the loss of Neil Duffy, it has not been a good summer in that regard."

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk