32-year-old Gibbons had been missing since 2 July after leaving his home in Colston, Glasgow around 6pm that evening to go to work. He never arrived at J Thomson, based about 3.5 miles from his home, and a major search operation was started.

On Friday police confirmed that a body was recovered at 11am that morning from the River Kelvin, in the vicinity of Dullatur Bridge in Glasgow.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Formal identification has yet to take place. However, the family of Gregor Gibbons, who was reported missing from the Colston area of Glasgow on Tuesday 2 July 2019 has been informed.”

Leading tributes, Gibbons’ wife Leanne posted a picture on Facebook of her husband with his brother Scott Gibbons on his wedding day.

She said: “You were so honoured to be Scott’s best man. Can’t believe you’re not here anymore. RIP Gregor you were not just my husband you were my life.”

J Thomson managing director Kevin Creechan had described Gibbons earlier this month as “a pleasant, quiet, hard-working, head-down type of guy” who lived for his family and football. An avid Rangers FC fan, he played in his local Football Fans in Training (FFIT) team.

Rangers’ supporters liaison officer Greg Marshall wrote on Twitter: “Heartbreaking news today regarding Gregor Gibbons. The thoughts of all the Rangers family are with his loved ones. Gibby was always a pleasure to speak to. A tragic loss.”

A ‘Find Gregor’ Facebook page had been liked by nearly 8,000 people at the time of writing and hundreds of people, including many of Gibbons’ friends and family members, had also paid their respects on the page.