Walter Smith tribute to an Ibrox cult hero

FORMER Rangers boss Walter Smith led the tributes to Ugo Ehiogu after news of the ex-England defender’s death at the age of 44. The Tottenham coach became an Ibrox cult hero after scoring a stunning overhead kick to sink Celtic in 2007.

But British football was stunned yesterday when news emerged that the former Middlesbrough defender had died after suffering a heart attack during a training session with Spurs’ Under-23s squad.

Players will don black armbands during tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash between Rangers and Celtic.

Praising Ehiogu for the impact he made in a fivemonth stay in Govan, Smith told Sportsmail: ‘I don’t know of anybody who had a bad word to say about Ugo and, at this tragic time, my thoughts go out to his family.

‘During his time at Rangers, Ugo scored a goal for us that will never be forgotten.

‘I was just back at Rangers at the time and the importance of that result was to show we were on our way back after a down period.

‘You might have expected a central defender like him to chip in with a header or something more likely.

‘The fact he won the game with an overhead kick is something everybody remembers.

‘We can all be glad that, in the short period he was at Rangers, Ugo gave us something to remember him by.’ Former team-mates Nacho Novo and Charlie Adam last night posted pictures of Ehiogu on social media – the Spaniard declaring himself ‘heartbroken’ by the death of one of his best friends in football.

Kris Boyd called Ehiogu a ‘gentle giant’ while Alan Hutton also paid tribute on Instagram.

Recalling his Ibrox spell, Smith added: ‘It was obvious our defence needed a bit of experience. Davie Weir and Ugo came in and made an immediate impact.

‘Over that five-month period I couldn’t have been involved with a better professional and it showed me why he was successful in his career. Ugo’s attitude and approach was exemplary. He was a great lad.’

Kevin Thomson, who was in the Rangers squad the day of Ehiogu’s stunning Parkhead strike, branded his death ‘tragic news’.

‘It was a special goal and one you would never expect from Ugo,’ said Thomson. ‘An acrobatic overhead kick. It was obviously a special moment for the punters as well as Ugo.

‘I still picture him standing on the stage all suited and booted, receiving his goal of the season award to an amazing round of applause.

‘Not only was he a great pro, he was also a nice man.

‘We used to like a steam room after the game and I used to nip his ear for advice on different things and he was one of those boys — a bit like Davie Weir — who liked to give you as much advice as possible.’

A statement on the Rangers website said the club was ‘shocked and saddened’ by Ehiogu’s death.

‘The 44-year-old Englishman made a huge impact in his short time in Glasgow — notably his winning goal at Celtic Park in the derby,’ it read.

Celtic also sent condolences, saying: ‘The thoughts & prayers of everyone at Celtic are with the family & friends of former Rangers defender, Ugo Ehiogu, following his sad passing.’

Ehiogu’s former Villa teammate Paul Merson tearfully added: ‘I am still devastated. He was such a top bloke it was unbelievable.

‘He was a man-mountain. You know what, Billy Joel always sings a song: “Only the good die young”.’