CELTIC have paid their respects to former rival Walter Smith at Ibrox this morning by laying a wreath at the stadium.

Walter Smith sadly passed away on Tuesday and the footballing world has been paying their respects.

The former Rangers boss was a great rival of Celtic, but his friendship with Tommy burns helped both transcend the Glasgow derby tribalism.

Walter alongside Ally McCoist helped carry Tommy Burns coffin when we sadly lost the Celtic legend far too soon to skin cancer.

With Smith’s passing, it’s absolutely right that we pay our respects and it’s good to see the chairman and acting chief exec Michael Nicholson going down personally to do so.

Tom Boyd was also in attendance as they laid the wreath.

Rivalry can be a great motivator but it should also birth respect. Too often we see things skew in the other direction.

We’re all people who fiercely support our clubs, but it should never go beyond the football pitch.

We send our deepest condolences to the Smith family.