Ally McCoist’s tribute as McAdam dies aged 61

First a striker and then a centre-half during his time at Ibrox, McAdam played for Dumbarton, Partick Thistle, Motherwell and Hearts as well as Rangers, in addition to a spell in Australia with Adelaide City.

“We were all shocked and saddened to hear of Colin’s sudden passing,” McCoist said yesterday. “On behalf of everyone at Rangers Football Club, I would like to send my sincere condolences to Colin’s family at this difficult time. It is genuine tragedy that Colin has passed away so suddenly at just 61, and the thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with Colin’s family and friends.

“I heard last night – I’m absolutely gutted,” McCoist continued. “It’s absolutely terrible news and it was a real shock. Big Beastie looked after me big time when I first came to Rangers. Him and Gregor Stevens – absolutely brilliant with me.

“Right at the start when things weren’t going well for me he was a real help to me – I could tell you a really funny story about that, but I don’t think this is the right time.

“When things were tough for me and the fans were giving me stick, him and Gregor were absolutely tremendous for me. You’d imagine they’d be two intimidating guys, but they were two brilliant lads. We’re all thinking about Colin’s family. Jim Stewart and Durranty knew him very well as well and it’s a real blow. He was a model pro, he was a schoolteacher, he was always healthy, he never drank – which we always used to say was possibly just as well.

“I hadn’t seen all that much of him over the past few years. The last time would’ve been at the 140th birthday celebrations back in December, when he and a lot of the old players were out on the park. He was whole-hearted, committed – Jock Wallace’s perfect kind of player. Fearless, absolutely fearless. I always attempted to get on his team in the five-a-sides in training. He played in the era just before Graeme Souness came in.”

McAdam began his career at Dumbarton in 1969 and stayed at Boghead for six years before moving to Motherwell. Partick Thistle was his next, and in 1980 he was signed by John Greig.

Released by Jock Wallace in 1984, McAdam went to Adelaide for a season, then spent the 1985-86 season at Tynecastle, making six subs’ appearances for Hearts in a campaign which ended with them being runners-up in league and cup. He rejoined Partick Thistle for two seasons, then played for juniors Irvine Meadow and Maryhill before retiring in 1990.