Ex-Rangers star breaks down as he dedicates goal to team-mate who died aged 27

AN emotional former Rangers star broke down in tears in front of his team-mates last night after he scored his first goal since his “best friend” passed away last month.

The Canadian football community was rocked by the news that goalkeeper Dylon Powley had died at the young age of 27 in a motorcycle crash in Edmonton, Alberta, on June 20.

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The stopper had played for various Canadian clubs and enjoyed stints in the nation’s Premier League with FC Edmonton and Atletico Ottawa before starting a career in coaching in 2022.

He was well respected in the sport having also became a referee earlier this year in League1 Alberta – a third division pro-am league in the Western province.

But his life was tragically cut short after his bike struck a curb in his hometown and he lost control on the road.

He died on scene and police said it was a terrible accident, noting that his speed didn’t play a role in the crash.

His family and friends have been grieving ever since, and one man who knew him very well was former Rangers player Fraser Aird.

The Canadian midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at Ibrox, returned to Canada in 2020 with Valour FC and is now starring for Cavalry FC in the country’s top flight.

But he briefly crossed paths with his long-term friend Powley at FC Edmonton before the goalie departed the club at the end of the 2020 season for more game time.

The ex-Falkirk, Dunfermline, Dundee United and Cove Rangers man has continued training and playing as normal while grieving for his pal, and he found the net in his side’s match against old team Valour last night.

He scored the only goal of the 1-0 win and it was an emotional moment for him so soon after Powley’s passing.

Aird wheeled away in celebration after finding the net before breaking down in tears near the corner flag as he had to be consoled by his team-mates who circled around him.

The 29-year-old looked up and pointed his two hands to the sky in a tribute to the late goalkeeper.

And speaking to the media at full-time, Aird opened up on his “difficult” period as he dedicated his goal to Powley.

He said: “Obviously it meant a lot. I’ve had a difficult few weeks as a lot of people in the community know.

“I lose one of my best mates and it hasn’t been easy. I’ve still been training every day and trying to play with that at the back of my mind.

“It hasn’t been easy, but yeah, that goal was for him. The goal goes out to all of the Powley family. They’re strong people and that goal was for Dylan.”

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Aird made his Rangers first-team debut in 2012 when the club were in Scottish football’s fourth tier.

He became a Gers regular before leaving for Vancouver Whitecaps on loan in January 2016.

The Canadian left Rangers for good a year later, signing a short-term deal with Falkirk before spells with Dunfermline, Queen of the South and United.

He joined Cove Rangers in in September 2019 but left shortly before the end of his contract in early 2020 after he was spotted making w***er gestures from the Gers end towards the Celtic support during an Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

Aird was forced to apologise in the aftermath for making the “thoughtless” gesture in the heat of the moment.

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He said: “I would like to apologise for my actions yesterday at the Old Firm.

“I got caught up in supporting my boyhood club and did something thoughtless.

“I know that as a professional footballer, I have a responsibility to carry myself in an appropriate manner.

“Yesterday I didn’t do that. I hope everyone will forgive me for it.”

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