Former Scotland and Rangers manager Alex McLeish will be honoured by the University of Aberdeen next month at its summer graduation ceremonies.
Birmingham City boss McLeish, who captained Aberdeen FC before moving on to a highly successful career in management, will be awarded a Doctor Honoris Causa on July 3.
A member of the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, he made nearly 500 League appearances for the North-east club during its '80s glory years, winning 77 Scotland caps before management spells at Motherwell and Hibernian.
Guiding Rangers FC to two SPL championships and five cup wins in five years confirmed him as one of Europe's most promising young managers.
McLeish's subsequent stewardship of the Scotland team saw the side narrowly fail to qualify for the finals of the 2008 UEFA European Championship, a campaign that included a memorable 1-0 victory over France in the Parc des Princes.
"We are proud that Alex McLeish has agreed to accept an honorary degree," said Professor Stephen Logan, Senior Vice Principal of the University of the Aberdeen.
"As captain of Aberdeen F.C. and as a Scottish internationalist he always led by example, and he carried on that winning mentality into his career in management.
"While the 1-0 victory over France will live long in the memory of all Scotland fans, Alex has always conducted himself in a dignified and eloquent fashion, often under an intense media glare, and it is fitting that he is recognised by the University as one of Scotland's most distinguished sportsmen."
David Beattie, Director of Sports Development at the University of Aberdeen, is currently overseeing the construction of the new Aberdeen Sports Village, which is due to open in summer '09.
He said McLeish was an "inspiration" to many sporting students at the University, who will be among those benefiting from the £28M facility.
"From World Cups to the Champions League, Alex's record speaks for itself. He was a top-class sportsman and now manager, and remains a great ambassador for Scottish sport. His achievements in the game, especially during his time in the North-east, are an inspiration to many of the students we have here looking to make their own mark in the sporting arena."
Alex McLeish will receive his honorary degree at the University's afternoon (3pm) graduation ceremony on Thursday, July 3.
Details of other honorary degrees to be conferred at this year's graduations at the University of Aberdeen will follow next week.