FORMER Pars goalkeeping coach, and Rangers and Scotland great, Andy Goram, has passed away.

The 58-year-old, who Dunfermline said was a "hugely popular figure" during his short spell at East End, lost a short battle with cancer.

Goram was synonymous with Rangers, for whom he played for seven years, and the Ibrox club announced the news earlier this afternoon.

Capped 43-times for Scotland, 'The Goalie', as he was known, arrived at the Pars in January 2015, after current Kelty Hearts boss, John Potter, had taken over as manager from Jim Jefferies.

A disappointing season saw Athletic finish seventh in League One and, following its conclusion, Potter reverted to a first-team coach role under incoming manager, Allan Johnston, while assistant Neil McCann, and Goram, left the club.

Born in Bury, Goram began his professional career with Oldham Athletic, before moving north of the border to join Hibernian in 1987.

He made his debut for the Easter Road side against the Pars - keeping a clean sheet in a 4-0 win - before moving to Rangers in the summer of 1991.

Goram played 260 times for the Glasgow club, winning five league titles, three Scottish Cup and two League Cup victor's medals, before going on to have spells with clubs including Motherwell, Manchester United and Queen of the South.

He played for Scotland at the European Championships in 1992, in Sweden, and 1996, in England, and is a member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

After he finished playing, Goram went on to take up coaching posts at several clubs, including Dunfermline, who said: "Everyone at #DAFC is saddened to learn the passing of Andy Goram.

"Andy joined the club as goalkeeping coach in 2015 and was a hugely popular figure during his spell at East End Park.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Former clubs Rangers and Hibernian were amongst others paying tribute, as were the SFA, who said: "The Scottish FA is saddened to learn of the passing of former Scotland international Andy Goram at the age of 58.

"Goram will be remembered as one of the finest goalkeepers this country has ever produced and picked up 43 caps for Scotland."

In May, Goram revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer, and told he had six months to live, before news of his passing was announced today.

Rangers added: "The thoughts of the directors, management, players and staff are today with Andy’s family, and would ask that their privacy is respected at this sad time.

“Funeral details will be communicated in due course.”