Celtic and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish leads tribute to ex-Rangers and Airdrie star Doug Baillie

Celtic and Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has led tributes for former Rangers and Airdrie defender Doug Baillie, who died yesterday at the age of 85.

Defender Baillie - who was also a respected sports journalist after taking up the profession when he hung up his boots - passed away after a short illness.

And now Sir Kenny has paid a touching tribute to the man who regularly reported on his exploits at Parkhead for the Sunday Post.

Dalglish told Baillie's former newspaper: "Doug was every bit as talented a writer as he was a footballer.

"He had a lovely way with words and also had a wonderful ability to make you laugh out loud at the appropriate moment.

"I was just starting out when Doug got into the Sunday Post and I was always grateful to him for being gentle on me whenever I had a below-par performance for Celtic.

"The condolences of the Dalglish family go to everyone in the Baillie household."

Dougie signed for Airdrieonians from Douglas Water Thistle at the age 15 in August 1952. His time at Broomfield lasted until the start of the 1960/61 season, with a very brief encounter in England with Swindon town in 1956 but he soon returned for a second spell as a Diamond. He made 185 appearances during that period scoring around 15 goals.

In 1961, he left Airdrie for Rangers for a record fee of £15,000 after a transfer request.

Baillie also spent time at Third Lanark, Falkirk and Dunfermline.

After hanging up his boots, Baillie went on to become a highly-respected journalist. He covered two World Cups and was also president of the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

He retired from the profession in 2001.

Rangers paid tribute to their former player last night. Their statement read: "Everyone at Rangers FC is sad to