‘We’ve lost a legend and a friend’ – Rangers kit man Jimmy Bell dies aged 57

Rangers legends past and present have paid tribute to Jimmy Bell, the club’s popular, long-serving kitman, whose sudden death at the age of 57 has been announced.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, his predecessor, and Ronald De Boer were among the first to send their condolences.

In more than 30 years at Ibrox, Bell became a much-loved figure, a friend and confidant to generations of players, managers and staff, from Graeme Souness to Van Bronckhorst and Paul Gascoigne.

Bell had been in the dug-out as recently as Sunday, for the match against Celtic

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A familiar face on the backroom staff, Bell was in the dugout as recently as Sunday, when Rangers drew 1-1 at Celtic Park. He had been looking forward to Thursday night’s Europa League semi-final second leg against RB Leipzig.

Douglas Park, the Rangers chairman,