Dave Smith (1966 to 1974)
Dave Smith joined Rangers from his hometown side, Aberdeen, on 12th August 1966 for a fee of £50,000 and it would be fair to say it proved to be an eventful first season at Ibrox. Smith was the only Rangers player to feature in all 34 league matches of the campaign as we once again fell just short in our title challenge. Within months of his arrival, Dave would find himself part of a side shocked by Berwick Rangers (a club he would later manage) in the Scottish Cup but would then go on to feature in a European Final, the 1967 Cup Winners Cup defeat to Bayern Munich in Nuremberg!
At just 22 years of age and already a full Scotland International (he earned his first cap against Netherlands in May 1966), Dave was immediately thrust into the first team making his debut against Hibernian only 24 hours after signing (a 1-0 win in a league cup section match at Ibrox). His first goal came as soon as the league fixtures got under way when he scored in a 6-1 opening day rout of Partick Thistle. Despite an excellent first season in which he played in all 55 competitive matches, he would have to make do with two runners up medals having also tasted defeat in the League Cup Final.
When supporters describe Dave Smith the player, the words elegant and cultured are always to the fore. Whether operating as a left-half (midfielder) or sweeper, Dave seemed to have an ability to make the game look effortless due to the fact that he could read play so effectively and had a positional sense second to none. A real footballer.
There is no doubt that Dave Smith was one of the great Scottish Players of his generation and he was most unfortunate that his performances did not produce a greater return in terms of silverware. It would be hard to argue that if his Gers side of that period had played together during any other era of Scottish Football then the outcome would have been somewhat different.
Although Rangers ended their wait for silverware (in the shape of the League Cup) in October 1970, due to injury Dave was not in the side that defeated Celtic and by the time the two clubs clashed again in the Scottish Cup Final later that same season he had suffered his second leg break since joining the Club. It would be September 1971 before Smith was once again ready for first team action. As always, his timing was impeccable with the ECWC adventure now up and running.
Despite missing the 1st round ties with Stade Rennes, Dave was back in the starting line up by the time Sporting Lisbon were in Glasgow with manager Willie Waddell deploying him in a more continental sweeper role during the Euro campaign. He would make a substitute appearance in Portugal in the return leg before starting the final 5 matches of the victorious run that would see us triumph in Barcelona.
In the absence of John Greig, Dave would Captain the side in the semi-final, second leg win over Bayern Munich at Ibrox in what is arguably our greatest ever home victory in European competition. Whilst the names Stein and Johnston will forever be synonymous with the Final, it was Smith who was the standout player that evening in the famous Nou Camp, oozing class throughout the match and, indeed, beautifully setting up the crucial second goal in addition to a fine assist for the opener. It was a fitting way to win his first piece of silverware and ensure legendary status as one of the ‘Barca Bears’.
It had proved a triumphant return from injury as weeks later Smith was also named Scottish Football Writers Association Player of the Year, becoming only the second Rangers player to have won the award.
In all, Dave made 301 appearances for Rangers scoring 13 goals in just over 8 years at Ibrox.
A great and loyal supporter of the Club, it was absolutely humbling to see Dave in amongst the fans at many lower league grounds in recent years as we continued on our journey back to the top. A regular at first team games domestically and abroad, he truly is one of the people.
by Rick Plews
