RANGERS are in mourning following the death of legendary kitman Jimmy Bell.
Bell served the club for over three decades and past staff and players have paid tribute to 'Mr Rangers' following the sad news today.
Rangers have a mammoth Europa League semi-final second leg tie this Thursday against RB Leipzig and this will likely prove as even more motivation to see the job through.
Meanwhile at Celtic, Jota has reportedly told Benfica he wants a permanent move to Parkhead when his loan is up in the summer.
Ex-striker Leigh Griffiths is also on the move after Falkirk announced he is one of fourteen to leave the club at the end of his current deal.
Keep up date with all the latest news right here with our LIVE BLOG
- Alan Galindo
GRIFF EXIT
Ex-Celtic star Leigh Griffiths will be on the hunt for a new club this summer after Falkirk confirmed he is LEAVING.
The former Hoops and Hibs striker is one of fourteen players leaving the Bairns ahead of a massive summer overhaul.
John McGlynn is set to take over at the Scottish League One club after informing Raith Rovers he is leaving the club.
Griffiths – who netted twice in 13 games – will not be part of the new regime as they bid to get out of Scotland's third tier next term.
- Alan Galindo
'SIMPLY THE BEST'
Rangers have shared a touching video in tribute to legendary kitman Jimmy Bell.
The near three minute video captures some lovely moments from throughout his time at the Ibrox club.
- Alan Galindo
'WHERE I WANT TO BE'
Riley McGree has provided further details as to why he opted to join Middlesbrough over Celtic and Ange Postecoglou.
Speaking to Optus Sport, McGree said: "With all due to respect to Celtic and Ange, my ambition is to play in the Premier League.
"The position Middlesbrough are in and being in England, I feel like it was the best opportunity of getting to where I want to be.
"I would love to go to a World Cup.
"That's the pinnacle with a national team, to represent your country at a World Cup. One, maybe more than one.
"But also as I said before, to play in the Premier League, I personally think it's the best in the world."
- Craig Mahood
Fashion tribute
Fashion Sakala has also posted a tribute.
Here's his tweet put out to his followers.
- Craig Mahood
Player tributes
James Tavernier has just posted his own personal tribute to Jimmy Bell, saying he was more than just a 'kitman'.
He posted on Twitter: "Although he was officially a “Kitman” he was much much more than that.
"Few people are synonymous with a football club in the modern day era.
"He was at Ibrox for longer than I have been alive.
"The beating heart and soul of our club, The hardest worker, The most dedicated, He was Rangers through and through.
"He will always be remembered, He will always be with us, We will never ever forget him!
"I’m truly going to miss you! Rest In Peace My Friend.
"I want to send my condolences and love to the Bell family."
- Craig Mahood
Leip respect
Europa League rivals RB Leipzig have sent Rangers their condolences following Jimmy Bell's passing.
The pair meet again this Thursday in what is set to be a hugely emotional Ibrox night.
Thy tweeted: "Very sad news. Our deepest sympathies to his loved ones."
- Craig Mahood
Gaffer heartbreak
Giovanni van Bronckhorst has paid tribute to his 'friend and colleague' Jimmy Bell.
Van Bronckhorst hailed the 'special relationship' the pair shared and said he will be 'sorely missed'.
- Craig Mahood
Jota staying?
Reports in Portugal say Jota has informed Benfica he wants to make his loan move to Celtic permanent.
Jota has been a fan favourite this season and supporters have long called on the board to act and keep the winger.
Portuguese media claim that suits both parties, with their new incoming boss not having Jota as part of his plans.
That could allow Celtic to trigger the £6.5million option to buy, keeping him for their Champions League venture next week.
- Craig Mahood
What goes around….
Rangers were trolled by RB Leipzig following last week's late winner when they tweeted they were 'Feeling It.'
Well, that's come back to bite them you know where.
Last night, they lost out 3-1 to Monchengladbach despite their opponents playing the last half hour with only ten men.
They then tweeted: "Anyone else feeling it?"
- Craig Mahood
Little words
Former Rangers striker Andy Little said: "RIP Jimmy. Mr Rangers.
"A huge loss to the football club and my thoughts are with his family.
"Nobody messed with Jimmy. You had to earn his respect and it took a long time!
"Every club with an expectation like ours needs a Jimmy Bell. Simply the best!"
- Craig Mahood
Almost a smile!
Here was a rare look into Jimmy Bell's office.
Ant Middleton shared the picture on Twitter a short time ago to pay tribute after a recent visit to the Rangers training ground.
He almost got a smile too!
- Craig Mahood
Main soul
Lorenzo Amoruso says Rangers have lost 'one of the main souls' of the club.
He said: "I'm so sorry to hear that, it seems like an era is leaving the planet considering Walter Smith and now also Jimmy Bell.
"He's definitely one of the main souls of this club, he was there for so many years supporting the players, helping all the players who needed anything.
"It's unbelievable, the passion, the great attitude had had working day in day out.
"Just simply the best, Jimmy, I'm so sorry to hear that."
- Craig Mahood
Misunderstood
Maurice Ross says Bell was 'misunderstood' and said he had a 'heart the size of a house'.
He said: "Ahh Jimmy Bell!
"Undoubtedly the most prepared and thorough kit man to have walked the earth!
"A misunderstood man. Had the heart the size of a house! Behind the hard exterior was a warm and gentle soul!
"Loved his job and the Rangers. Heartbreaking news! Love ya Jimmy."
- Craig Mahood
Nacho writes
Mols commented on Nacho Novo's own tribute.
Novo wrote: "I can't believe the sad news this morning. RIP Jimmy."
- Craig Mahood
Mols heartbroken
Legendary striker Michael Mols has paid tribute to 'Mr Rangers.'
"Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing away of Mr Jimmy Bell, Mr Rangers. The legend, my friend. RIP Jimmy GBNF."
- Craig Mahood
Gerrard tribute
Former boss Steven Gerrard has posted his own tribute to Bell on social media.
Posting the picture that Rangers released when announcing the news, Gerrard wrote: "RIP Jimmy."
- Craig Mahood
Park continues
"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.
"Please respect the privacy of the Bell family at this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course."
- Craig Mahood
Douglas Park reacts
The Rangers chairman revealed his devastation at the news from this morning and said Bell dedicated his life to the club.
He said: “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."
- Craig Mahood
Rangers statement
Gers confirmed the news a short time ago.
A Rangers statement read: "Rangers Football Club are today devastated to announce the death of our much-loved, legendary kit man, Jimmy Bell.
"Jimmy, who has served the club for over 30 years and been a friend and confidant to numerous generations of players and staff, will be so sadly missed by everyone at the Rangers Football Club.
"A former employee of Parks’ of Hamilton, Jimmy initially drove the Rangers team buses to matches across the country, before moving on to his current role as First Team Head of Kit."
- Craig Mahood
Jimmy Bell tributes
Ronald de Boer first announced the news on Instagram.
He posted a picture alongside Bell and current boss Van Bronckhorst from the recent legends game.
He said: "With great sadness the news came to me that Jimmy Bell passed away.
"You will be missed Jimmy.
“The best kitman in the world."
- Craig Mahood
RIP Jimmy
Sad news this morning that Rangers kitman Jimmy Bell has died.
He served the club for over 30 years and was close to the playing staff with many recalling their time with him years on.
Rangers announced the news this morning after earlier social media reports.
Ronald de Boer posted the news on his own social media page before the announcement and other past players and staff have done likewise since.
- Craig Mahood
Have your say
- Craig Mahood
Good chance
Nicholas added that he thinks Rangers would have a better chance of winning the competition than they do against Leipzig.
He added: "I have always said the measure of top teams is how they do in Europe. You have to give Rangers credit for getting to the Europa League semi-finals.
"I also think they would have an even better chance if they were to get to the final against Eintracht Frankfurt or West Ham United than they do in Thursday's game against Red Bull.
"If Rangers could progress then they would be 90 minutes away from winning a European trophy on a neutral ground.
"What a chance that would be."
- Craig Mahood
Big achievement
Charlie Nicholas believes Rangers reaching the Europa League final would be as big as winning the Premiership title
He told the Express: "If Rangers can defy the odds and make the Europa League final then it would be as big as winning the league.
"It definitely would be. It maybe wouldn’t have been if it had been to stop the craziness of 10-in-a-row because that was just too personal.
"The fact is that Celtic are look set to win the title back after just one season.
"If Rangers were to overturn the 1-0 deficit at Ibrox against Red Bull Leipzig and make a major European final then that would be a major achievement."
- Craig Mahood
Top character
Thommo heaped praise on Gers' mentality having come through a tough set of fixtures yet still remaining competitive.
Thomson said: “Rangers were the better team against Celtic on Sunday and they were the fitter team.
“I sometimes think when you are at the business end of the season you want to be playing all the time.
“You’d think with their involvement in Europe, Rangers would have been dead on their feet in the latter stages of the Old Firm games.
“Yet it was the complete opposite, which is testament to the character and desire of Rangers."
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