Craig Brown, the last man to take Scotland to a World Cup finals, has died at the age of 82
He was in charge for 71 games from 1993 to 2001, qualifying for Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup
He was also on the staff for the 1986 and 1990 finals
Brown managed Clyde, Preston North End and Motherwell before ending his career at Aberdeen in 2013, then he moved into a board position at Pittodrie
Before guiding Scotland to Euro 96 and France 98, Brown nearly delivered World Cup success in 1989 with Scotland Under-16s.
Read more about how Scotland almost won a World Cup at Hampden in 1989 here.
Image source, SNSBrown didn’t stay out of the game for long, though, and took up the position as assistant manager to Willie McLean at Motherwell, where he spent four years before becoming the main man for the first time in 1977, at Clyde.
And he made an emphatic start, winning the Second Division title in his first season in charge – using just 20 players in the process.
Relegation followed but the quest to return to the top tier endured. In 1981, Brown brought in Tommy McQueen and Pat Nevin, both of whom played crucial roles in steering the Bankies to promotion, where they would stay for the remainder of Brown’s nine years as manager.
While Craig Brown will be remembered for his contributions from the dugout, he showed promise on the field in his younger days, representing Scotland at schoolboy and youth level.
Injuries meant he struggled to claim a first-team berth at Rangers, but he became the first signing Bob Shankly - brother of Bill - made for Dundee. Brown helped the Dees to the league title in 1962.
His progress was checked by a knee injury which required surgery and ultimately forced an abrupt end to his playing career aged just 27.
Image source, SNSIf you're just joining us here's a recap of the sad news that Craig Brown has died at the age of 82. This is a brief reminder of his stellar career in Scottish football:
You can read more about Craig Brown's career here.
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'I hope I've played the game properly & honestly'
You can watch BBC Scotland's tribute to Craig Brown here.
A number of leading figures from Scottish politics have been paying their respects to Craig Brown.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says on Twitter he was "a legend of Scottish football.
"He will be missed."
Image source, Twitter/Nicola SturgeonCraig Brown with Nicola Sturgeon
The former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has also tweeted her tribute saying how sorry she was to hear the news.
She says: "I last saw him in March at my uncle’s retirement from @ayrracecourse, external.
"He was in fine form - full of laughs and anecdotes from his life in football.
"He was an outstanding manager of @ScotlandNT, external and a truly lovely man. RIP."
Image source, SNSBrown's nous and influence was particularly keenly felt at Aberdeen, where he had been involved since taking up the managerial post in 2010.
He retired from management in 2013, and was replaced by Derek McInnes, but was a board member and club ambassador until his passing.
Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack paid a moving personal tribute to Brown on Monday.
“He was one of those rare individuals who was not only effective at what he did but universally loved by all who got to know him," said Cormack.
"A gentleman who loved his family, friends, and football. Personally, I’ll always be grateful for the support and encouragement he gave me as chairman, and I’ll miss his legendary stories that made all of us laugh."
Motherwell, the club Brown managed during 2009 and 2010, have said their former boss was "an icon and influential figure of Scottish football".
They cite the incredible 6-6 draw with Hibernian, in which Motherwell fought back from 6-2 down in spectacular fashion, European tussles with Icelandic, Danish and Norwegian opposition, and a fighting 3-3 draw at Ibrox on the final day of the season as memorable moments from Brown's stint in charge.
"He will forever be remembered for his astonishing achievements within the game and likeable character on and off the pitch," the club statement added.
Image source, SNS
Image source, Getty ImagesFirst Minister Humza Yousaf pays warm tribute to Craig Brown
Scotland’s first minister has joined those paying warm tributes to Craig Brown on social media
Humza Yousaf says in a tweet the former Scotland manager was: "A towering figure of the Scottish game, Craig Brown & the Scotland team he managed gave us many good memories over the years.
"You would be hard pressed to find a man who loved Scotland as passionately as he did.
"My thoughts with his family & friends at this sad time."
"The affable & gregarious charmer who never got due appreciation," writes BBC Scotland's chief sports writer Tom English.
Read the obituary in full here.
Image source, SNSTributes are being paid to Craig Brown, Scotland's longest-serving manager, who has died aged 82.
Brown was the last man to lead Scotland to a World Cup finals in 1998, part of a record-breaking stint with the national team spanning eight years from 1993 to 2001.
After this very sad news, on these pages we'll be collating some of the memories and homages of those who knew one of Scottish football's most respected figures.