RANGERS remembered the victims of the 1971 Ibrox Disaster with a poignant service at the statue of John Greig outside the Bill Struth Stand yesterday.

It was the 42nd anniversary of the tragic day when 66 Gers fans died in a crush on Stairway 13 at the end of an Old Firm game.

Reverend Stuart McQuarrie conducted the annual service on Edmiston Drive and a two-minute silence was observed.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist and his predecessor and current club director Walter Smith were both in attendance.

Supporters' chief Jim Hannah and club chief executive Charles Green spoke and chairman Malcolm Murray laid a wreath at the foot of the statue.

Reverend McQuarrie also expressed hope Rangers legend Sandy Jardine, who is currently battling cancer, will make good progress in the coming year.

A tribute was then paid to Hugh Adam, the former director who played an active role in the redevelopment of Ibrox after the disaster, who died on Saturday.

The Ibrox Disaster of 1971 was the biggest single loss of life at the Glasgow stadium.

A total of 25 people died at a Scotland v England international in 1902 when a section of terracing collapsed.

Two fans died on Stairway 13 in 1961 when a barrier collapsed.

The 1971 Ibrox Disaster led to the club developing a modern, safe stadium in the following years at a cost of £10million.

Club legend and former manager Willie Waddell travelled to the 1974 World Cup in West Germany and advised that steep terracing and exits be replaced.