Icons of Football: John Greig by those who know him best

Former Rangers and Scotland defender John Greig is featured in the latest series of BBC Scotland's Icons of Football.

Here, those who know him best opine about the former Ibrox captain and manager.

'A magnificent captain'

Chick Young, journalist and broadcaster

He was a deeply passionate guy in terms of his football and his playing ability.

John epitomises everything that’s good about Rangers. His relationship with them as a club is phenomenal. He’s a one-club man and the epitome of the one-club man.

His contribution to that great Scotland team was magnificent. He was a magnificent captain of Scotland. We talk about great Scotland teams and great Scotland players - he’s a legendary captain.

In my lifetime, he’s one of the most iconic figures in the game.

Willie Johnstone, former team-mate

He was a brilliant professional. A great man to have in your team.

A great captain, probably the best captain I ever played under. He was really dedicated to Rangers Football Club.

'The greatest Ranger'

Archie Macpherson, journalist and broadcaster

There are people in football who are born leaders and born captains and John Greig was.

I remember John Greig sometimes in illustrious ways, when times were hard for Rangers, because he held them together. He could only do that with stature - he was upright.

One of the great things about John Greig was he was a hard man, left some bruises throughout the years, a great goalscorer at times for Rangers at crucial times - and for Scotland - and, once you’ve totalled that up, there’s one more thing about him, respect from opponents. People who met him liked him enormously. He could get on with folk.

He was the greatest Ranger of all because of the total and comprehensive commitment to the club and institution.

Peter McCloy, former team-mate

He was a leader on the park because he drove the team forward.

John always led by example. His commitment and his way about the game is why the fans took to him because of his wholehearted effort on the pitch.

He epitomises what a captain of Rangers is all about. He never dropped his standards.

'Born to be a footballer'

Andy Cameron, comedian and Rangers supporter

A legend. In fact, that was his nickname when Dick Advocaat came and John was still working in the background.

I think it was Walter Smith that called him legend at one stage and that’s exactly what he was. As a player and also as the captain.

Football is something that guys like Greig are born to do. Born to be a footballer, born to be a Ranger, and obviously born to be a legend.

An icon is created by themselves, or by happenstance. Somebody like Greig who grew up supporting Hearts didn’t want to sign for Rangers, but he was made to by a family member, became a Ranger and was a part of one of the great Rangers teams and is still involved with the club today. That’s what makes him an icon.

'Inspirational'

James Tavernier, Rangers captain

He’s one of the first people I got to know when I came through the doors here. I got to speak to him and was just a sponge to try and learn off of him as much as I could.

He’s a true legend to the club and I can’t speak enough on how much he means to me or the club.

John’s a person I’ve obviously taken a lot of inspiration from. He’s always wanting to improve people around him and that’s what makes him such a special person.

I always love to see him.