Rangers boss Steven Gerrard paid tribute today to his former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.

Houllier passed away yesterday at the age of 73.

The Frenchman played a particularly vital role in Gerrard's development at Anfield, handing him his Premier League debut as he progressed through the academy ranks.

And the now Rangers boss has paid an emotional tribute to his old boss, he said: “Yesterday was a really tough day for myself and Gary McAllister.

“Gerard played a huge role in both our careers and also our lives. The news yesterday was really difficult to take, a huge blow.

“We came in yesterday morning feeling really happy after our result at the weekend and then to receive that news was a bitter blow. He was a special man, a caring man, a loving man.

“He was more than just a manager. Throughout your career, different people look after you and shape you in your younger days. Then they pass you onto the first-team staff which was Gerard Houllier, Phil Thompson, Sammy Lee, who did an incredible job for me in terms of where I was at from an age and also a player.

“Gerard was at the forefront of that in terms of shaping me into a better player, a better person, a better leader. I've got an awful lot to thank the man for and I'm finding it really hard to come to terms with right now."