Sir Alex Ferguson and Rangers legend Ally McCoist are among those paying heartfelt tributes to former Motherwell, Clyde and Scotland manager Craig Brown, who has died at the age of 82.
Brown is the national side’s longest-serving manager, having led his country from 1993 to 2001, and will forever be remembered by Clyde fans for bringing trophy success to the Bully Wee in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
He died in hospital on Monday after a short illness.
Brown, who spent part of his childhood in Rutherglen and attended school in Hamilton, took charge of the Bully Wee in 1977 and led the club to the Second Division title in his first season, before repeating that feat in the 1981/82 campaign.
He took charge of 409 games for the club until he left in 1986 to take up a coaching role on Sir Alex’s team at the World Cup finals in Mexico that year.
Brown would go on to assist Andy Roxburgh and then take the reins of the national side himself, leading Scotland to Euro 96 in England and the 1998 World Cup in France.
He left The Bully Wee in 1986 to take a coaching position with the Scotland national team and led the country to Euro 96 and the World Cup in 1998.
He would then return to club management at Preston North End, Motherwell and Aberdeen, where he ended his coaching career in 2013.
Brown is the last man to guide Scotland to a World Cup finals.
Taking to Instagram, McCoist - who was a key part of Brown's Euro 96 squad, scoring for Scotland in a 1-0 win over Switzerland - said: "Very saddened at the news about the great Craig Brown. Craig was a good man who had time for everyone, and always time for a laugh.
"We have some fantastic memories that will live forever. Thoughts, condolences and love with Craig’s family & many friends."
In a statement released by the League Managers Association, Sir Alex said: “Craig and I had been friends since Scotland Schools team in 1957/58, with Craig as captain.
“When I was given the honour of managing Scotland at the World Cup finals in Mexico there was one man I had to take, for all his attributes and knowledge. That was Craig.
“He had a great career as a manager of several clubs but his service for his country stands out. In an industry that questions a man’s capabilities, Craig never wavered in that situation, he always kept his head and his composure. Well done Broon!”
Clyde have also paid their own tribute with Clyde historian Gordon Sydney hailing his warmth as a human being and eye for a player during his days at Shawfield.
Sydney said: “Away from football Craig was simply a lovely man, with whom you never had a quiet moment, and whose warm and welcoming personality certainly kept the banter flowing.
“Despite his status in world football, he was always interested in happenings at his beloved Clyde and contributing wherever possible.
“Over those nine years with Clyde, Craig’s ability to spot a player, nurture that player and get the best out of that player brought the club around £500k in transfer fees, an achievement that I know he was rightly proud of.
“And yet the club continued to progress, despite the loss of many great players.
“Craig’s passing leaves a big void in all our lives, and we will all be mourning the loss of a figure of such status.”
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