Rangers hero bumps into namesake

“We love the club. We’re big Rangers fans and have been for a long time,” said Mark, 28.

“It’s an honour having this name and I was a bit like ‘oh my God, the guy I’m named after just walked into the restaurant’.

“He actually came in years ago when I was 17 and I introduced myself to him. We shared a giggle and it was all a bit surreal.

“This time it was pure banter. He was telling everyone about it and it was great fun.”

Walters, who also played for Aston Villa and Liverpool, won three league titles at Rangers between 1989 and 1991.

“It’s very flattering,” said the ex-footballer, 52. “I met Mark’s dad years ago who said he had named his son after me but I’m not going to lie, I thought he was joking.

“Mark’s a lovely boy and a credit to his family.

“Glasgow’s one of my favourite cities in the world so I love to come back and I still try to visit the supporters’ clubs. I don’t get recognised as much as these days as my hairstyle has changed a fair bit but the diehards still see me.”

The younger Mark was delighted to meet

his Light Blue idol.

The younger Mark could have just as easily been a Terry Butcher, Kevin Drinkell or Ian Ferguson Singh – they all scored against Celtic in 1989 – but he’s happy with how it worked out.

Some might even say he had more luck than his younger brother Oleg.

“I’m probably more proud of this than Mark Walters is of having someone named after him,” laughed Mark. “I think it was a shock to him. “He sent me a lovely text the next day – he’s a bubbly and happy guy.”

■