Pictured
OLD PALS' ACT
Statue of Rangers legend restored after successful campaign led by Ibrox heroes
A video of the dilapidated memorial reached over 200,000 people
A STATUE of Rangers legend Davie Cooper has been restored — after a rescue mission from old team-mates.
The lifesize bronze of ex-Scotland star Coop, who tragically died 29 years ago this week, had fallen into disrepair in the grounds of Hamilton Palace - as highlighted by SunSport.
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But former Ibrox team-mates Davie MacKinnon and Derek Ferguson were present to mark the statue being cleaned, and watch the commemorative plaque being re-done.
MacKinnon, 67, revealed he still speaks to old pal Coop when he visits.
He said: “A lot of the guys who played with Davie at Rangers are on a WhatsApp group. We talk about him and come and see him, and speak to him every so often.
“I probably come about three or four times a year to see him and talk. I always think of the spirit of the man when I come. But about a month ago I was at a charity event in Bellshill, and when I came I saw the statue, and the plaque in particular, was in a state of disrepair.
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“I thought, ‘No, this isn’t on’. It was up to the guys who loved and respected him as a guy and a player to get it sorted.
“I put a video and a photo on social media and over 189,000 people responded to it.
“That was from across football — Rangers supporters, Celtic and Motherwell fans, people from everywhere. That prompted the council to sort it and great credit to them for doing that.”
Ferguson, twice a title- winner with Cooper, added: “I was a Rangers fan, and it was surreal to end up playing in the same team as Coop.
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“As a guy he was different gravy. He was portrayed in the media as ‘The Moody Blue’ but he wasn’t like that with us.
“He always had time for the younger ones. In terms of touch and control, what a player.
“To go at such a young age, just 39, was tragic. He was my hero and I loved him to bits.”
Leader of South Lanarkshire Council Joe Fagan said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to restore the statue recognising the life of one of our area’s most famous sons.
“It was unveiled 25 years ago, and inevitably time has had an impact on the statue and its signage.
“It’s great to see the overhaul of the statue and surrounding area.”
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