Rangers players and fans paid their last respects to goalkeeper Andy Goram as his funeral took place in Glasgow.
The former Scotland international football and cricket player passed away at the age of 58 earlier this month after a brief battle with esophageal cancer.
Goram’s former Scotland and Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was among those who attended the funeral at Wellington Cathedral on the west end of the city on Monday afternoon.
Former Rangers players Ally McCoist and John Brown and former goalkeeper Alan Rough, who played with Goram for Scotland and Hibernian, were among those carrying coffins into the church.
Former Scotland manager Craig Brown said he felt the service was a “one-off”.
Goram is a giant of the game in Scotland
Mr. Brown said: “He is a lad who is loved by everyone. Even the opposing players and the managers, they respect Andy Goram. He is an excellent goalkeeper.”
“Not only that, he was a great personality. He wrote me a letter that I still keep, when he left the (training) camp in America, and it was a piece of prose written by him. very interesting writing, and from his heart, and I think today you can feel that he is in everyone’s heart.
“It was a great celebration. The sincerity, the humour, the clarity.
“It’s a unique service, I haven’t been at a similar service in the past. Obviously Andy has had a big say in that. He knows what he wants for his service and I think he does. got it.”
A memorial flower for Sir Rod Stewart is placed inside the hearse. “One of Scotland’s finest places. Rest in peace Andy,” it said.
About 20 fans who had gathered to pay their respects outside the church were led inside to listen to the ceremony after the coffin was brought in.
Before that, the hearse passed by Ibrox Stadium, where hundreds of people lined up on Edmiston Drive to pay their respects.
Sir Alex Ferguson attended the ceremony
As the procession moved along the road, fans applauded with flowers splashing on passing vehicles.
Floral symbols have been left on the main steps of the stadium, including one depicting the goalkeeper’s gloves and others reading “Goal” and “Father”.
Other former Rangers players who attended the church included Stuart McCall, Mark Hateley, Trevor Steven, Marvin Andrews, Alex Rae, Derek McInnes and Barry Ferguson.
Rangers Football Club Condolences
Current Rangers coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst was also in attendance along with captain James Tavernier and players including Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield, John Lundstram, Allan McGregor and Robby McCrorie.
Born in Bury, Goram began his career at Oldham Athletic before moving north to play for Edinburgh’s Hibernian team, later signing with Rangers.
After his time at Ibrox, he played for a number of teams in Scotland and England, including Notts County, Sheffield United and Motherwell for three seasons, as well as playing for Manchester United, Coventry, Queen of the South and eventually the Elgin City.
In addition to representing Scotland at football, he also plays cricket for the country – and is the only one to have played a first class international match at cricket as well as a major international football match for Scotland.
After his death, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon hailed Goram as “one of the greats of Scottish football of all time”.
