It's a sad, sad day and I don't know if I'll be able to articulate the words that he deserves but I'll try my best.
The Rangers youth product got to see the Ibrox legend up close for club and country, and offered his memories on Go Radio. Kilmarnock winger Chris Burke has thanked Walter Smith for giving him the chance to represent his country. Walter was such a great help to Graeme Souness during his time in charge before taking over himself and becoming a legend. I was away from Walter for 14 months while in London but were then re-united again when I came back up to join Rangers. We were together at Tannadice for six years before I moved to Spurs. I didn’t play too well but Jim McLean signed me on a 10-year contract right after it so I can’t have done too bad! It was a reserve match against Arbroath at Gayfield. He was obviously assistant to wee Jim at the time but I actually played my first game for United alongside Walter. He picked me up from a friend’s house in Broughty Ferry to go training with United. I was trying to think back when I first met him. Walter had such a huge influence on my career as he did with so many players. Their swan song together came at Everton where Premier League survival proved just as precious during a time of financial downsizing at Goodison.Īnd speaking to Record Sport he detailed the influence of the late legend. Together they formed a union that would produce 10 league titles - one at Tannadice under Jim McLean and the other nine at Ibrox - plus three Scottish Cups and six League Cups. If there was anything close to a constant throughout Richard Gough’s playing days, it was Walter Smith.įrom their first meeting in 1980 until the day he retired 21 years later they were apart for only two and a half seasons. The Scotland national team needed him too, and he answered their call as well.īut despite spells at Dundee United and also Everton, it’s Rangers for which Walter is best known, and loved by their legion of followers.įollow all the latest updates here as football pays its respects and tributes. Because sometimes a man has such an aura, only one name is used in reference to them.Ĭertainly, Sir Alex Ferguson – the greatest manager Scotland has ever produced – respected him so much he called for him to join him at Manchester United. The tears are falling as heavily as the rain as a club and a country mourn the loss of Walter Smith.įew in Scottish or even British football have failed to have been inspired by or at least aware of the legendary manager’s achievements.īut what is most apparent about the iconic Rangers figure is not just his feats in football but his contribution to the lives of those who knew him.ĭignified and decent are just two of the words that have been used to describe Walter.
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