T which legendary gaffer should lead our Premier XI to glory? MANAGER
SIR Walter. Rangers were able to comfortably outspend Celtic and their other Scottish rivals in the transfer market during the reigns of both Graeme Souness and his successor Walter Smith during the
1980s and 1990s and they were untouchable domestically as a result.
Smith lavished over £50million on players in the first spell that he spent in charge at Ibrox – more than any other club in Britain never mind Scotland during that time.
But that should in no way detract from his accomplishments. The boyhood Rangers fan from Carmyle was something of a surprise choice to take over from Souness, who he had been assistant to for five years, in 1991. Many supporters wanted a more glamorous appointment. He proved to be a shrewd choice.
He elevated the Glasgow club to a new level. He signed brilliantly, brought in superstars like Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup and then got the very best out of his expensively-assembled side with a mixture of his masterful man management and tactical knowhow.
His team did the treble and went undefeated in 10 games in the inaugural Champions League in the 1992/93 season, completed Nine-In-A-Row in 1997 and had lifted a total of 13 trophies when, after his only league defeat, he stood down in 1998.
Smith was, following stints with Everton and Scotland, lured back in 2007 after the brief and illfated Paul Le Guen experiment and quickly resurrected Rangers’ fortunes. They reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008 and, despite their city rivals being far stronger, secured the Premier League in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
In total, Walter Smith won 10 Scottish titles, which is twice as many as any other manager – Neil Lennon, with five, is the put in perspective just how successful Sir Alex was at Aberdeen. After a difficult debut season, he made them the dominant team in Scotland and a major force in the European game.
He certainly inherited an outstanding squad from McNeill when he took over. Stuart Kennedy, Jim Leighton, Alex McLeish, John McMaster, Willie Miller, Doug Rougvie and Gordon Strachan were already there. They would all be involved in their European Cup Winners’ Cup run in the 1982/83 season.
But Ferguson signed well and brought through gifted youngsters and, with his relentless drive, burning ambition, strict discipline, motivational skills and tactical excellence, moulded them all into a formidable unit that performed with fire and flair.
The 2-1 triumph over Real Madrid in Gothenburg in
1983 was the highlight of his tenure. That was followed up with a Super Cup victory over European Cup winners Hamburg. Aberdeen are the only Scottish club to claim two European trophies.
The Glaswegian is the most successful British manager of all-time and was the automatic choice to take charge of the Greatest Premier XI.
Dick Advocaat, Neil Lennon, Alex McLeish, Billy McNeill, Martin O’Neill, Graeme Souness and Jock Stein.