Statue of Smith to be unveiled at Ibrox prior to Scottish Cup final

RANGERS will unveil a statue of former boss Walter Smith outside Ibrox ahead of the Scottish Cup final later this month.

Smith is the secondmost decorated manager in the club’s history after leading the Light Blues to 10 league titles, six League Cups and five Scottish Cups, as well as the 2008 Uefa Cup final, over the course of two spells in charge.

Smith died aged 73 in October 2021 and, following a year-long process, Rangers have announced that “his legacy will now be preserved in bronze on the corner of the stadium footprint between Edmiston House and the Copland Road stand”.

The statue has been designed and sculpted by London-based artist Douglas Jennings, whose portfolio includes a statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in London as well as England World Cup winners Jack Charlton and George Cohen.

“It is a poignant moment in the history of this great club to unveil a statue of our legendary former manager, Walter Smith,” chairman John Bennett told Rangers’ website.

“The outpouring of tributes which arrived from near and far following his passing two-and-ahalf years ago speaks to Walter’s stature as both a human being and custodian of our historic football club, and there is no Ranger more deserving in the modern era of being honoured in bronze.

“I would like to place on record our thanks as a club to the artist and sculptor, Douglas Jennings, as well as internal and external stakeholders who have helped facilitate the process since the commissioning of the statue in October 2022.

“I’m sure the day of the unveiling will be one full of emotion for Walter’s wife, Ethel, his two sons, Neil and Steven, and the rest of the family.

“The work consolidates the significance of the great man and the place he occupies in the storied history of Rangers.”

The statue will be unveiled on Saturday May 25, before Rangers face Celtic in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden, with further details to be released by the club.

Meanwhile, Billy Dodds accepts Celtic are favourites for Saturday’s Old Firm game but believes there is “still a brilliant opportunity” available for his old side Rangers to blow open the title race.

With three Premiership fixtures remaining, the Hoops are three points clear of their city rivals at the top of the table with a goal difference of plus five.

Brendan Rodgers’ side go in to the game at Celtic Park – where there will be no away fans – with a healthy squad on the back of a 3-0 win over Hearts at the weekend and as favourites to beat Rangers for the third time this season.

Former Gers striker Dodds, who played for the Light Blues between 1999 and 2003, said: “Celtic are favourites at home, favourites because of where they are mentally and how they’re going about it, getting their players back.

“That doesn’t always mean that you’re going to go and win it and it’s still a brilliant opportunity to win it for Rangers.

“I’ve got a feeling it won’t be as straightforward as people think.”

Walter Smith enjoyed great success as Rangers boss.