The Scotsman

Football greats pay final farewell to legendary Rangers manager Smith

- By GAVIN MCCAFFERTY

Sir Alex Ferguson and Ally Mccoist were among those paying tribute to former Rangers, Scotland and Everton manager Walter Smith at a public memorial service in Glasgow.

Smith was on Sir Alex's coaching teams for a spell at both Manchester United and Scotland while Mccoist spent years playing under his mentor before assisting him for both Scotland and Rangers.

A private family funeral was held earlier this month following Smith’s death at the age of 73, but the service at Glasgow Cathedral allowed many football figures to remember their former colleague and opponent.

Former Rangers players from Smith’s two spells in charge at Ibrox who were attending the service included Richard Gough, Andy Goram, Andy Gray, Trevor Steven, Nigel Spackman, Richard Gough, Mark Hateley, Stuart Mccall, Charlie Miller, Kris Boyd, Sasa Papac, Nikica Jelavic, Kenny Miller, Gordon

Durie, Derek Mcinnes, Neil Alexander, Kevin Thomson, Charlie Adam, Lee Mcculloch and Steven Pressley.

The Scottish champions’ current first-team squad were also present.

Coaching colleagues also included Archie Knox, Jim Stewart and Kenny Mcdowall.

Duncan Ferguson, who played under Smith at Ibrox and Everton, was also among the guests.

A contingent from Dundee United, where Smith spent most of his playing days and began his coaching career, included Paul Hegarty, Maurice Malpas and Hamish Mcalpine. Former United and Rangers striker Davie Dodds was also present.

A party representi­ng Celtic included former managers Davie Hay and Neil Lennon alongside former skipper Roy Aitken and present and recent chief executives Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell. Another former Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, had arrived earlier.

Other football personalit­ies included former Chelsea players Mark Hughes and Frank

Lampard, former Leeds and Scotland player Eddie Gray, former Everton and Scotland left-back Gary Naysmith, and Brechin manager Dick Campbell, Smith’s long-term friend.

Current managers from the league included Robbie Neilson of Hearts and Motherwell’s Graham Alexander, both of whom played under Smith for Scotland.

Former Scotland managers Craig Brown and Craig Levein were there as well as Scottish Football Associatio­n representa­tives Rod Petrie, Mike Mulraney, Ian Maxwell and Dr John Maclean.

Neil Doncaster and Murdoch Maclennan represente­d the Scottish Profession­al Football League.

In two spells as Light Blues boss, Smith led Rangers to 10 top-flight league titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as to the UEFA Cup final in 2008.

A former Dundee United and Dumbarton defender, Smith was appointed manager at Ibrox in 1991, succeeding Graeme Souness.

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 ?? ?? Ally Mccoist, Craig Levein and Stuart Mccall at the memorial service for Walter Smith. Main picture: Rangers first-team players. Left: broadcaste­r Archie Macpherson. Below, from left, Sir Alex Ferguson and Richard Gough; Mark Hughes and Frank Lampard; Neil Lennon
Ally Mccoist, Craig Levein and Stuart Mccall at the memorial service for Walter Smith. Main picture: Rangers first-team players. Left: broadcaste­r Archie Macpherson. Below, from left, Sir Alex Ferguson and Richard Gough; Mark Hughes and Frank Lampard; Neil Lennon
 ?? ?? In two spells as manager of the Light Blues, Walter Smith led Rangers to 10 top-flight league titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as to the UEFA Cup final in 2008
In two spells as manager of the Light Blues, Walter Smith led Rangers to 10 top-flight league titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as to the UEFA Cup final in 2008

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