Rivals unite in tribute to lost legend Walter
THE world of football yesterday paid tribute to Walter Smith, the former Scotland, Rangers and Everton manager who has died at the age of 73.
And outside the Ibrox ground in Glasgow fans from both Rangers and rivals Celtic came together to lay scarves, flags and banners at the gates.
Smith, a true giant of the game, led Rangers to 10 top titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups as well as the Uefa Cup final in 2008.
His death comes in the year that Rangers won their first Scottish Premiership title since Smith’s final season in charge in 2011.
The club held a minute’s silence. Chairman Douglas Park said: “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.”
Celtic said Smith, who was awarded an OBE, was a “tremendous servant” to Scottish football.
Ally McCoist, who played in Smith’s 1990s Ibrox team and was later his assistant manager with Scotland and
Rangers, was close to tears at the news. He said: “He was my boss, my coach, my second father and then turned into one of my best friends. The loss is absolutely incredible. He was the best husband, father, friend, everything you want from a man. I can’t tell you how devastated I am.”
Everton said it was a “very sad day”. A grandfather, he and wife Ethel had two sons, Neil and Steven.