Baird played in the Ibrox side's first match in European football, against Nice in the 1956-57 European Cup.

He was also part of the team that reached the semi-final of the competition in 1960 before losing to Eintracht Frankfurt.

He was said to have passed away peacefully at home this morning.

Baird spent six years at Rangers, making 172 appearances in all competitions and scoring 52 goals.

An old left half, he won the Scottish championship in his first season at Ibrox and again in 1957. He also won the Scottish Cup three years later.

Baird was signed from Preston in the summer of 1955 after one season in England. He previously played for Clyde from 1949 to 1954.

He left Rangers for Hibernian in October 1960, and spent two seasons at Easter Road.

He then had a season with Third Lanark before moving to Stirling Albion, where he played for a season before becoming manager.

Baird earned seven Scotland caps and scored against France in the 1958 World Cup finals.

Rangers said in a statement: "Rangers' thoughts are with Sammy's family at this time."