FORMER Rangers manager Ally McCoist today paid an emotional tribute to late Ibrox legend Sandy Jardine for the role he played in helping the Glasgow giants recover from their 2012 financial implosion as Steven Gerrard’s side were presented with the Premiership trophy.

Thousands of Rangers fans partied across the city and country today as James Tavernier and his team mates finally lifted the Scottish title for the first time since 2011 after a 3-0 triumph over Aberdeen at home in their final league fixture.

But McCoist, who was working at the game as a pundit for Sky Sports, spared a thought for all of those who had fought hard behind the scenes to ensure the survival of the Govan outfit nine years ago.

And he singled out Rangers great Jardine, who tragically passed away after a battle with cancer in 2014, for special mention.

“My first thoughts are obviously with the supporters who have been fantastic throughout the whole administration and liquidation,” he said. “Their support for the club has been monumental.

“And also I am thinking of guys like Sandy Jardine who is no longer with us. He used to come in for a cup of tea, sit in the office, chew the fat and have a right good moan about everything when we were going through that period.

“And all the good people who worked at the club through that time. Some of them sadly lose their jobs through it.

“Obviously all the players, magnificent, players who came and played in the Third Division, Second Division. To be honest with you, they wouldn’t normally have been anywhere near Ibrox.

“But I am forever grateful to those guys who have helped us on the journey which has culminated now in Steven and his team doing a fantastic job this season. It is a wonderful achievement and, yes, it is emotional, of course it is.”