RANGERS captain Barry Ferguson has paid tribute to Motherwell skipper Phil O'Donnell, who died earlier this evening.

The 35-year-old midfielder collapsed near the end of Motherwell's 5-3 victory over Dundee Utd at Fir Park today and sadly never regained consciousness.

Ferguson said: "Everyone at Rangers Football Club was shocked to hear of Phil's death. It is a tragedy that puts football into perspective.

"He was a Hamilton boy like me and I got to know him down the years.

"I always enjoyed playing against Phil and my thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

O'Donnell, who also played for Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday before returning to Fir Park for a second spell, featured against the Light Blues at Ibrox on Boxing Day.