RIP Walter Smith Soccer

[Tom]

Very sad news. A Rangers legend. One of the great Scottish managers.

Former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager Walter Smith has died at the age of 73.

Smith achieved legendary status at Ibrox, with 21 trophies in two spells making him the second most successful Rangers boss ever behind Bill Struth.
He won the latter seven titles of Rangers' nine-in-a-row run in the 1990s and returned to Ibrox in 2007.

Between those stints, he had four years at Everton and two with Scotland before being enticed back to the Glasgow club.

His second spell in charge delivered three more titles and a Uefa Cup final appearance, in 2008.

His death comes in the same year Rangers clinched their first top-flight title since Smith's final season in charge in 2011.

Posted with a picture of him and Smith on Instagram, Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said: "Thank you for all your wisdom, support and friendship. You meant the world to everyone at Rangers."

In a club statement announcing the news, chairman Douglas Park added: "It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers.

"He embodied everything that a Ranger should be. His character and leadership was second to none, and will live long in the memory of everyone he worked with during his two terms as first team manager.

"I spoke with Walter as recently as last weekend. Even when he was battling illness, he was still able to provide advice and support. For that, I am personally grateful. I know that he continued also to maintain dialogue with senior members of staff, including our manager, Steven Gerrard.

"Walter will be sorely missed by all of us at Rangers. For Rangers supporters, he was much more than just a football manager. Walter was a friend to many, a leader, an ambassador and - most of all - a legend."

 

[Crabtree]

RIP.

Always seemed a voice of sanity in the mad world of Glasgow football

 

[Bandit]

Sad news.

Did a brilliant job in a number of roles for Rangers and always came across as a true gentleman.

 

[Dylan]

Shocked to hear this. A great manager and seemingly a decent guy, my Ranger's mates hold him in the highest regard.

 

[Best]

Emotional and heartfelt tribute from Ally McCoist

 

[Boot Cleaner]

That old interview he had with Chick Young had me in stitches. (NSFW language)

 

[Franco Pinion]

Sad news, deserves all the plaudits in the world for what he built with Rangers and almost taking them to the Champions League final.

That old interview he had with Chick Young had me in stitches. (NSFW language)

Brilliant that. Chick back-tracking like crazy.

 

[Dylan]

Just watched the documentary on BBC 1 about Walter Smith.

Really good. He was an exceptional manager for Rangers during both spells at the club and he also brought some pride back to the national team after the disastrous run of Bertie Vogts. It didn't work out too good for him at Everton but they are going through a troubled time with finances during his time there and many of their top players were sold.

It is also on the iPlayer if anyone wants to watch it - BBC One - Walter: A Life in Football