The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tannadice and Ibrox legend in hospital
Rangers and Dundee United legend Walter Smith is recovering in hospital following an operation.
The Ibrox club issued a short statement on Saturday afternoon regarding the 73-yearold’s condition.
The Gers said: “Rangers Football Club can confirm Walter Smith had an operation on Monday and he is currently recovering in hospital.
“His family have requested privacy at this time.”
The SFA added: “Everyone at the Scottish FA wishes Walter a speedy recovery. Get well soon.”
Smith had two spells as a player at Tannadice before becoming the late Jim McLean’s No 2.
Three years after United’s 1983 title triumph, he left to become Graeme Souness’ assistant at Rangers and a glittering period in Govan followed.
Smith guided the Gers to nine titles in a row after replacing Souness as boss and lifted 21 major trophies over two periods in the Ibrox hot seat.
In 2018, the former Everton and Scotland manager was linked with a national team return in the wake of Gordon Strachan’s departure but ruled himself out of the running after talks with Hampden chiefs.
Title-winning Rangers boss Steven Gerrard recently praised Smith for being his “unofficial mentor”.
Gerrard said: “Walter is someone I have the utmost respect for. He is an iconic figure at this club, a successful manager.
“It is an unofficial mentorship, if you like – I don’t even think Walter knows he is doing it.
“I’ve had the pleasure of his company around lockdown, it’s been more difficult during lockdown.
“But he is someone I have spoken to a lot on the phone. He has a real connection with the League Managers’ Association and has been a big help to me.
“I bounce a lot of stuff off him and he always has plenty of time for me and my coaches.
“So I don’t even think he knows he is being a mentor but he has been fantastic for me.”
Without supporters in stadiums, Dundee United midfielder Calum Butcher feels like he’s missed a year of his career – and yearns for their return.
But with progress being made in the fight against Covid, the Englishman is hopeful the Tangerines can get back to performing for a full Tannadice next season.
However, it doesn’t make the thought of playing Saturday’s New Firm derby against Aberdeen in an empty stadium any easier to stomach.
Butcher said: “I like to work off the fans, good and bad, and I think I thrive off it.
“Hopefully, things are back to normal soon and it’s more like football should be.
“It’s weird not having the build-up to games, arriving at the stadium and not having fans in the car park or even after the games, not having family there, it’s such a different feeling.
“It’s strange so the quicker it gets back to normal the better for us all.
“There’s been times this year it’s taken me by surprise a little bit, how tough it is to get in the right place mentally without fans.
“I like the noise, the atmosphere and everything that goes with fans being in the stadiums, home and away.
“In the game you’re focused and don’t really think about it but the build up is tough.”
The Tangerines midfielder added: “I think that can be why you see some strange results, you only have to look at
Liverpool. Would they be like that if the Kop were full? I don’t think so.
“I like to work off the fans. It gives you that little extra edge.
“Fans are the whole point of playing football, for me, especially for us getting promoted and playing in the big stadiums and having full houses at Tannadice for Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen.
“You feel like you’ve missed a year of your career.”
United’s first season back in the top flight may not have worked out exactly as they would have wanted.
The Tangerines will have little beyond pride to play for when the Dons come to town this weekend, with their topsix dreams all but dashed heading into the final game before the split.
However, Butcher insists it’s still important they see out their campaign strongly and battle to finish as high up the Premiership standings as they can.
Seventh is now the target but Butcher believes they already have one eye on next term and the new opportunities it will bring.
He added: “It’s a disappointment to be out of reach of the top six because we really felt we could’ve been in and around it going into the last game.
“It looks like it’s gone now but this season was always going to be difficult with the circumstances.
“To come up and be where we are is good. We just need to finish the season strong going into the next one.”
Ross County boss John Hughes felt refereeing decisions cost his team in a 2-1 defeat by Hibs.
Hughes criticised referee John Beaton for awarding Martin Boyle the penalty that brought Hibs level and claimed the forward should later have been shown a second yellow for diving.
Boyle went down in a challenge with Alex Iacovitti and the Staggies were furious when Beaton pointed to the spot, the Hibs man converting to cancel out Billy Mckay’s opener.
Kevin Nisbet then sealed a 2-1 win for the visitors on the hour.
Hughes said: “I am expecting better from John Beaton to see what was up, but he only gets one look at it.
“Boyle then dived again on the far side, but John decided not to take any action as it would have been a second yellow and a red.
“The last time I saw a dive like that the boy had Speedos on.
“I’m not having a go at referees. They have decisions to make and have to make it instantly.
“I thought the second goal was offside at first, then I saw it again and it wasn’t – so I admitted that to the fourth official. That penalty, though, not for me.”
Hibs manager Jack Ross felt the penalty was the correct decision and praised his side’s reaction to going a goal behind.
He said: “I’ve seen it. I certainly don’t think he dived. The reaction we showed was pleasing.”
● Livingston sealed a top six place with a 2-1 win over Hamilton.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Scott Pittman scored either side of Callum Smith’s equaliser for Hamilton, who are just one point ahead of bottom side Kilmarnock with six fixtures left.