THE Westminster Parliament has paid tribute to two legends of Scottish football.

MPs spoke of their admiration for Walter Smith and Bertie Auld following their recent deaths.

Smith was hailed as a unifying and “hugely respected” figure in Glasgow.

The former Rangers, Everton and Scotland boss died on October 26 at the age of 73.

SNP MP Brendan O’Hara, a Celtic fan, led a debate in the Commons paying tribute to the former football manager.

He said: “Walter Smith’s career hasn’t been a source of great personal joy and happiness for me.

“Far from it.

“Save a brief period as manager of Scotland, Walter’s career was a cause of great personal angst and unhappiness for me, as his team all too regularly wiped the floor with mine.”

But he added: “Walter Smith had a remarkable managerial career, one which will live long in the memory.

“But perhaps more importantly Walter Smith will be remembered as being a thoroughly decent and honourable man.

“A man who despite proudly wearing his Rangers colours managed to cut across the maelstrom of football rivalry in Glasgow, and was a hugely respected figure on the green half of the city too.”

The National: Celtic legend Bertie Auld, who won the European Cup in 1967Celtic legend Bertie Auld, who won the European Cup in 1967

READ MORE: Rangers legend Walter Smith a great manager but a better man - Gordon Smith

Rangers fan and DUP MP Jim Shannon (Strangford) said Smith’s “legacy of passion on the pitch and respect off the pitch” was demonstrated by supporters and prominent from many clubs attending his funeral.

SNP MP Stewart McDonald, who described himself as the “token Rangers fan” of the SNP group in Westminster, said: “For me, he was a childhood hero and it has been great to hear the history of Walter’s career this evening.”

And LibDem MP Wendy Chamberlain said Smith’s “talent as a manager was pretty much unsurpassed in Scottish football”.

Tributes were also paid to former Celtic midfielder Bertie Auld, who died earlier this month.

LibDem MP Christine Jardine said: “Perhaps the thing that Walter Smith and Bertie Auld had in common was that they did manage to bring together both sides of a city which can be very divided in a way that showed us a positive way ahead, and that they have actually done a great deal to change attitudes.”

“Both were legends of the game,” Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said.

Government minister for culture and sport Nigel Huddleston paid tribute to Smith’s career as Scotland manager, telling MPs “he helped to unite a nation of football fans”.

He also wished the current Scotland side luck in the Football World Cup play-offs, saying: “Smith would have been delighted with the progress of the national team on Friday.”