In May 2021, Rangers completed their journey as Steven Gerrard’s side were crowned Premiership champions and a historic 55th Premiership title was delivered to long-suffering supporters.

‘Going for 55’ – written by Herald and Times Senior Rangers Writer Christopher Jack - tells the story of the campaign, giving insight and offering analysis into how Gerrard revolutionised the club and restored Rangers to their place at the top of Scottish football.

With interviews from the money men who funded the rebuilding job, the staff and players that made the dream a reality and those in the press that saw history being made, this is a sporting tale like no other.

On the first day of an exclusive serialisation, former Ibrox boss Ally McCoist pays tribute to Sandy Jardine and the role he played during Rangers' darkest times.

THE TOAST is to Absent Friends. It is to those that were loved but are now lost, those that were part of the Rangers Family yet did not see the club, their club, get back to where it belonged.

Amid the celebrations and the sense of achievement as 55 was won and cherished, there were feelings of sadness for many. This title win will be the most significant that generations of supporters ever savour but their thoughts were with relatives, friends and former players as they remembered the fans and the heroes who didn’t see Rangers rise again.

Friendships have been formed and partners have been found through a mutual love of Rangers and the stories told and memories made at home or away, in victory or defeat, last a lifetime. As managers are hailed or criticised, players revered or heckled, the bonds between individuals are strengthened as Rangers defines moods and shapes outlooks.

Glasgow Times:

Those connections may be broken in death, but they are never completely fractured and a love for Rangers is the link that binds many together. In these times of celebration, thoughts naturally turn to those who would tragically not see their club’s finest moment.

READ MORE: Going for 55: Paul Murray recalls EGM roar, Dave King reveals Steven Gerrard message and Richard Gough hails Rangers legends

There is nobody that benefitted more from Sandy Jardine’s time and compassion than Ally McCoist and he would dedicate the League One title to his friend and confidant as Rangers beat Stranraer at Ibrox just days after Jardine lost his battle with liver cancer.

The second stage of ‘The Journey’ had been completed, but the club had lost a giant of a man.

READ MORE: Rangers: Steven Davis reflects on efforts and sacrifices that were worth it to win title 55

“Sandy was phenomenal for me to tell you the truth,” McCoist said as he paid tribute to a man who, like him, didn’t do walking away during Rangers’ darkest days.

“He used to come up into the office at Murray Park and we would have a cup of tea and a right good moan at each other!

“We would say ‘how the f*** have we got ourselves into this mess?!’ But, in all seriousness, he was brilliant for me, absolutely brilliant. I owe him so much.

“Obviously I had people like Walter Smith that wasn’t at the club any longer that I could phone, but Sandy was there on a daily basis and he was a tower of strength at the football club.

“That wasn’t just for me, that was for everyone and I’m thinking about the girls in the marketing department, thinking about Iona, Claire and Allison, about Carol and Stephen in the Press Office. Sandy was there for everybody, absolutely everybody from the tea lady right up to the players and the management.

“I thought about him myself and often do. That wasn’t just when the boys won the league after Celtic drew up at Tannadice, I have thought about him on numerous occasions, numerous occasions. I can’t believe this season is seven years since he passed away, that is staggering, it really is.

“I think it is natural that in times of great joy, in times of such an outpouring of emotion and celebration, that there is pause for reflection as well. I think it is absolutely only right that a lot of people did that with Sandy and that will continue for many years to come.”

*‘Going for 55’ is published by Polaris Publishing and priced at £17.99 RRP. Visit http://www.polarispublishing.com/book/going-for-55