THE son of a Scottish Regimental Sergeant Major, the tough tackling wing-half began his career with Luton but really made his name at Aston Villa.

Signed by Derby County for £200,000 in February 1974, he was an ever-present in the Rams' 1974-5 League Championship winning season, finishing as top scorer and winning the first of his 24 Scotland caps.

He went on to become Scotland's first ever English-born skipper, captaining them in the 1978 World Cup finals in Argentina.

After a spell as Boro coach, he was appointed manager by chairman Alf Duffield, but he could not prevent the club sliding into the third division.

With relegation came liquidation and both Rioch and his assistant Colin Todd lost their jobs as the gates to Ayrsome Park were locked.

But he remained loyal to the club and after a dramatic reprieve a new club rose from the ashes.

After blooding an exciting young team, Rioch became the first Boro boss to win promotion in successive seasons after a two-legged play-off win over Chelsea.

But relegation back to the second division followed and the club struggled to adapt to life out of the top flight.

With Boro deep in relegation trouble and on the brink of a first ever Wembley appearance in the ZDS Cup, he was sacked and replaced by his assistant, Colin Todd.

He later manager Millwall, Bolton, Arsenal, Norwich and Wigan Athletic.