FINAL FAREWELL
Bobby Brown funeral: Ex-Rangers and Celtic heroes turn out as Gers and Scotland legend laid to rest
by Chris TaylorFOOTIE heroes turned out today to say farewell to Rangers and Scotland great Bobby Brown.
The ex-keeper, 96, was hailed as one of the country’s greatest ever shot-stoppers at the service at All Angels Church in Helensburgh, Argyll.
Famous pals packed the pews to say goodbye to the former Rangers ace — including Ibrox icons John Greig, 77, and Walter Smith, 71, and Celtic hero Murdo Macleod, 61.
Biographer Jack Davidson wrote a book on the great-grandad, who managed the national team for nearly five years from 1967.
He told mourners: “Bobby was out of the top drawer as a keeper.
“He was a member of the first Rangers team to win the treble in 1949. He was the only ever-present in that team.
“Bobby’s first match as manager of Scotland was not just against any old team. It was an England team who had won the World Cup the year before.
“In football, his place in the pantheon of Scottish greats is assured because of that famous 3-2 win at Wembley Stadium.”
Bobby died on January 15 following a short illness.
His coffin was adorned with white and blue roses and carried into the church by family members.
Red, white and blue candles were lit nearby.
Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, 72, played under Bobby in the national set-up and was among the mourners.
Bobby’s Grandson James also paid a heartfelt tribute.
He said: “I never thought I would have to do this. I thought he would go on forever somehow.”
He played 211 times for the Gers and was the last surviving member of the famous Iron Curtain defence of the 1950s.
He joined the club in 1946, playing 296 games during his ten-year stint with the Glasgow giants.
Bobby played as a part-timer, combining football with his work as PE teacher, before hanging up his gloves in 1958.
The goalie served in the navy in the Second World War and won five caps for Scotland at the end of the conflict.
Bobby also managed St Johnstone, guiding the Perth side to promotion in 1960 and again three years later.
He was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2015 and Rangers Hall of Fame in 2002.