Rangers defender Gareth McAuley has received the tremendous honour of an MBE in a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The legendary Northern Irish defender was given the recognition as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to sport. He was originally named in the New Years honours list in December.
McAuley, 39, is from the town of Larne in Northern Ireland and was presented the award by Prince Charles of Wales.
The big centre half helped guide Northern Ireland to Euro 2016, and even managed to score against Ukraine at the tournament. He has made a total of 80 caps for his country.
McAuley started his career in Northern Ireland, playing for Linfield, Crusaders and Coleraine before moving to England.
He originally arrived down south with Lincoln but would go on to play for Leicester, Ipswich and most famously, West Bromwich Albion. He spent seven years at the Hawthorns, playing over 200 times in the Premier League for the Baggies.
McAuley joined Rangers on a one-year deal in the summer after his contract expired at West Brom. A lifelong Rangers fan, the defender described joining Rangers as a “dream come true.”
