Tributes have poured in for iconic singer Tina Turner after her death at the age of 83 following a long illness.
The legendary musical icon is adored the world over but she has a particular following south of the Clyde after Rangers adopted her iconic hit 'Simply The Best' as their undoubted club anthem. For a certain vintage of supporter – the revered pop classic is synonymous with Walter Smith's all-conquering side from the 90s which ran roughshod over the opposition in Scotland. Heroes such as Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Ally McCoist lit the blue touch paper with the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll' getting punters on their feet.
Turner's vocals became ever-present at Ibrox but how did the unlikely alliance come together? The belief among many is BBC created a highlights package using the song heralding an title win in the early years of the 9-in-a-row era and it stuck from there. While others insist the American songstress couldn't get enough of the Light Blues and she asked for it to be played. Some reasons proved more tongue and cheek than others!
But, whatever the trigger for the PA operator to plump for Tina, it has become an Ibrox classic before matches – so much so the slogan has become part of the Rangers vernacular. And Turner's legendary anthem was played on Wednesday night before their clash with Hearts as news filtered through about her death.
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