Rangers have been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of the club’s long-serving kitman Jimmy Bell.
The Ibrox side confirmed in a statement that Bell, who was in the dug-out at Parkhead on Sunday, passed away through the night.
The 69-year-old had been a fixture at Rangers for almost four decades after succeeding George ‘Doddie’ Soutar.
Bell gained cult status among the Rangers supporters and was regarded as a key figure through the different managerial eras in his time.
Douglas Park said in a statement: "As a club, we are absolutely devastated to learn of the loss of our colleague and more importantly, our dear friend, Jimmy Bell.
“Jimmy dedicated his life to Rangers Football Club. Having worked under managers from Graeme Souness through to Giovanni, he experienced some of the greatest days in our 150-year history. Of course, he was here during some of the lowest points, and showed selfless dedication, regardless of the challenge ahead of him.
“Jimmy’s work ethic was second to none. He dedicated countless hours to preparation for each training session and game. No job was too big or too small for him, and he thrived on working for his boyhood club.
“I spoke with Jimmy regularly, having known him from his time as a mechanic and bus driver at Park’s. He was excited for Thursday night’s game at Ibrox, particularly having experienced a European semi-final before under Walter Smith.
“Rangers, and Scottish football as a whole, have lost a legend and a friend today. He was a family man, a devoted father, grandfather and husband. Jimmy will be sorely missed and I send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Bell family at this difficult time on behalf of Rangers Football Club.”
Van Bronckhorst knew Bell as a player and paid tribute to him when he took over the Ibrox hot-seat this season.
Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: "It’s always good to come into a place where you already know some people.
“So for me Jimmy Bell is a special person because in the first days of my time at Rangers I couldn’t have met such a true Scotsman from the beginning.
“It was very difficult to understand him but for me he is one of the pillars of what the Rangers identity is so it’s good to see that Jimmy has been at the club for many years and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.
“I’ll probably understand him much better than my first time!”
He was a formidable figure around the dressing room and former boss Steven Gerrard joked he was “the boss” around Ibrox.
On being asked if they would continue to wear a red shirt where they had enjoyed good results, Gerrard said: “I don’t decide what kit we wear but I can drag Jimmy Bell in if you want to ask him. He is the boss around here, not me.”
Former Morton star Jim McAlister was appointed last season to assist Bell with his kit duties and it's understood Bell was was contemplating retirement at the end of this season.
