Memories of Davie Cooper

Cooper played 22 times for Scotland

The former Rangers and Motherwell player Davie Cooper will be remembered on the 10th anniversary of his death when the two clubs meet in Sunday's CIS Cup final.

Cooper, who was just 39 when he died of a brain haemorrhage, is widely considered as one of the most talented Scottish players of all time.

In the days preceding the final of a competition Cooper won seven times with Rangers, BBC Sport spoke to a number of players who had the pleasure of witnessing Coop's skills at first hand.

DEREK JOHNSTONE - FORMER RANGERS TEAM-MATE

He was sensational. I scored in the region of 230 goals and I think the majority came from him.

For me, he was up there with Jimmy Johnstone, Willie Henderson, Denis Law and Jim Baxter.

The ability was there. He could beat people and put in tremendous crosses without even looking up.

But he could score goals as well - he scored some wonderful goals.

ALEX McLEISH - RANGERS MANAGER AND FORMER OPPONENT

If I could compare him to a modern-day player, it would be Damien Duff of Chelsea.

Cooper takes on McLeish in a league match in 1983

He may not have been as quick, but he certainly had the balance and the close control.

He had a great left foot. As my dad used to say, he could open a tin of peas with that left foot.

Coop liked a moan - he wanted to win - although he was a laid-back guy off the pitch and he could certainly wind up opponents - myself included.

GORDON SMITH - FORMER RANGERS TEAM-MATE

We came to Rangers at the same time as young boys.

He was the best player I played with in terms of individual ability.

It wasn't until he went to Motherwell though that I realised he wasn't a winger.

Just because he was skilful and couldn't tackle, he was put out on the wing.

But in any other European country, he would have been a midfield playmaker - as he was at Motherwell - and I think he would have been an even greater player for Rangers there.

BOBBY RUSSELL - FORMER RANGERS AND MOTHERWELL TEAM-MATE

He stands alone in terms of technical ability among the players I played alongside. He was great to play with.

People often say he couldn't use his right foot but that's not the case.

He scored a few goals with his right foot, but it's just that his left foot was so good that he was very rarely called upon to use it.