Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst had led the Ibrox first-team tributes to Jimmy Bell as the club continue to feel the pain of the legendary kitman’s passing.
Jimmy gave over 30 years of service to Rangers and became synonymous with the club, building relationships with all the players and acting as a confidant in his unique role at the club.
A unique character, Rangers meant the world to him and he made sure that everyone who played for the Gers knew exactly what it meant to play for the team.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst played for the Rangers first team at the turn of the millennium and Jimmy Bell made such an impression on him a clip went viral when they reunited during his stint as manager.
Taking to social media, it’s clear from the messages that Jimmy Bell was a giant in the dressing room and a clearly moved van Bronckhorst paid the Rangers legend a glowing commendation.
Rangers first team lead tributes to Jimmy Bell
The Dutchman isn’t the only current member of the Ibrox dressing room who took time to remember the impact Jimmy Bell had on them.
Captain James Tavernier described Jimmy as the “beating heart and soul of our club” and praised his dedication to the cause.
Club vice-captain Connor Goldson also paid Jimmy Bell a glowing message, claiming he will never think of Rangers without thinking about him.
Reserve goalkeeper Andy Firth also took to Twitter to echo these sentiments, describing himself as “lost for words”.
Scott Arfield took to Instagram and claimed that “if you had this man’s love & respect then you knew you were doing alright in life”.
Kemar Roofe also referred to the kitman as Mr Versace in an inside joke as he admits the death of Jimmy Bell has hit him “differently”.
Rangers forward Fashion Sakala expressed his sadness at Jimmy’s passing and claims the fact he scored the final goal before he passed makes the strike “even more special”.
Former Rangers striker Jermain Defoe also took the time to send a message out about Jimmy Bell and revealed that the Ibrox kitman convinced him to break from being teetotal to celebrate the club’s title win with a whisky.
All of this gives an insight into the impact the man has had on those involved at Rangers and the passing of Jimmy Bell is a source of great sadness for everyone at the club.
As attention turns to Thursday and a Europa League semi-final v RB Leipzig, there would no more fitting a send-off than booking the club’s ticket to Seville.
Meanwhile, should Rangers look to rebuild the team around a player many will admit they got things wrong about?