KARL Robinson has paid a glowing tribute to Justin Edinburgh, whose death has rocked the world of football.

The 49-year-old, who guided Leyton Orient to the Vanarama National League title in April, suffered a cardiac arrest last week.

It has shocked the game, but Robinson has found it particularly tough having got to know the former Tottenham Hotspur defender well.

The Oxford United head coach said: “To find out what happened was quite difficult.

“We did our coaching badges together, so we spent a lot of time in each other’s pockets, a lot of time away studying.

“Then when we went into management our teams played against each other.

“He’s someone I’d speak to very often.

“He was also very close to (former U’s assistant coach) Shaun Derry, so we were both really saddened.

“You only have to look at the messages which have come out over the weekend to realise what type of person he was.

“He’s one of the nicest people you could meet.

“It’s a big loss to the football world, but more importantly to his family and close friends.

“We send our love to them.”