FORMER Rangers stars, family and friends will pay their final respects today to former youth coach and star-finder Billy Duncanson.
At a time when youth development is under scrutiny, the achievements of Duncanson are exceptional having been involved in bringing through Charlie Miller, Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor, Alan Hutton, Charlie Adam, Ross McCormack, Stevie Smith and Chris Burke among many others.
These players alone were involved in transfers totalling over £35million in their careers.
Nottingham Forest winger Burke has led the tributes to Billy, who passed away last week aged 81 after an illness, by insisting he was a selfless, dedicated man who was only interested in making young players better.
Burke, 31, was discovered by Duncanson when he was still in primary school and convinced him to come and train with Rangers from an early age.
He said: “He was such a gentleman and a great coach. If he could do anything for you he wouldn’t hesitate.
“He wasn’t in it for anything else other than to help kid progress and do well. That’s what made him happy.
“I first came across Billy at under-10s and I was still at Rangers when he left.
“I worked with him right through the Boys Club. We used to train on the Astroturf opposite Ibrox and also Linwood.
“He made you feel at ease on the football pitch. He just wanted you to enjoy yourself.
“I just loved playing for Rangers at that time with him because it was so enjoyable.
“And it was the same with everyone else I know. Everyone enjoyed playing for him.”
Duncanson – along with his son James - had worked under Walter Smith, Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish during his time with Rangers.
Many ex-players took to Twitter and Facebook to pay their own tribute to the former coach, who left Rangers when George Adams took over the youth department in 2003.
Burke added: “You can tell by all the comments on social media – which are all positive – just how much everybody liked Billy. He was a friend more than anything else.
“I worked with him up until I signed a professional contract at Rangers but I would still see him about Murray Park.
“You just have to look at all of the players that came through having worked under him to see what a great job he did.”
The funeral service takes place at 10.30am at Craigton Crematorium, near Ibrox.
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