Walter Smith (1991 to 1998) & (2007 to 2011)
On representing Rangers, Walter Smith was quoted as saying “Do not enter unless you are ready to put yourself second – and that should be the one and only time second is good enough for you”. Walter lived by those words giving everything to the Rangers cause, a Club he had fallen in love with as a child.
Walter’s dream move to Ibrox came in April 1986, the highly experienced coach and the assistant manager was identified as being the perfect foil for rookie boss Graeme Souness. If Smith’s arrival had gone largely unnoticed, he would leave as a Club legend and arguably the most influential figure of the last 25 years. The Souness / Smith partnership was almost an instant success and a sleeping giant had been awoken.
With Season 1990/91 drawing to a close, Souness made it known he intended to leave at the end of the campaign to return to Liverpool. Rangers acted decisively, removing Souness and installing Walter as Manager within a matter of days. It was a decision ratified by senior players within the Club. In only his fourth game in charge, Walter rallied his depleted squad to clinch the title in a last day shoot-out with Aberdeen at Ibrox. It was a huge moment for Smith and he never looked back.
The Scottish Cup returned to Ibrox in 1992 for the first time in 11 years as Walter’s new look side completed a League and Cup double. This was followed by a domestic treble and a European run which would see Rangers come within 90 minutes of reaching the inaugural Champions League Final. At one stage unbeaten for a staggering 44 games, the season 1992/93 is considered one of the greatest in our history.
Able to attract players of the calibre of Mikhailichenko, Laudrup and Gascoigne, silverware kept on coming and by the end of season 1996/97 Rangers had secured a ninth successive league championship thus equalling the previous record. Perhaps remaining too loyal to an ageing group of players, Smith narrowly missed out on a tenth title and would leave Rangers in 1998. A trophyless season was absolutely not the way he would have envisaged it ending for him.
Following a dismal spell under Frenchman Paul Le Guen, Rangers turned to their former boss and Walter agreed to take over for a second stint in January 2007. If Walter had been fortunate enough to enjoy tremendous financial backing in the 1990s, the Club was in a very different position this time around. For large periods of time, the Bank was effectively running the Club and Walter would need to ‘box clever’ in terms of recruitment knowing that any assets were likely to be sold from under him.
The level of player at his disposal may have diminished but the outcome remained the same. Walter would lead Rangers to three successive titles from 2009 to 2011. For good measure, he would secure another 2 Scottish Cups and 3 league cups during his second spell in charge whilst guiding the Club to their first European Final in 36 years. It had been a truly remarkable achievement by the man the fans referred to simply as “Sir Walter”. As a manager, he would oversee Rangers winning a staggering 21 major trophies.
Walter epitomised all that Rangers stood for. Proud of his origins, he remained humble and performed his role with great humility. The outpouring of grief and personal tributes following his passing in 2021 was a clear indication of the utmost respect he commanded throughout world football and society as a whole.
by Rick Plews
Walter Smith (1991 to 1998) & (2007 to 2011)
On representing Rangers, Walter Smith was quoted as saying “Do not enter unless you are ready to put yourself second – and that should be the one and only time second is good enough for you”. Walter lived by those words giving everything to the Rangers cause, a Club he had fallen in love with as a child.
Walter’s dream move to Ibrox came in April 1986, the highly experienced coach and the assistant manager was identified as being the perfect foil for rookie boss Graeme Souness. If Smith’s arrival had gone largely unnoticed, he would leave as a Club legend and arguably the most influential figure of the last 25 years. The Souness / Smith partnership was almost an instant success and a sleeping giant had been awoken.
With Season 1990/91 drawing to a close, Souness made it known he intended to leave at the end of the campaign to return to Liverpool. Rangers acted decisively, removing Souness and installing Walter as Manager within a matter of days. It was a decision ratified by senior players within the Club. In only his fourth game in charge, Walter rallied his depleted squad to clinch the title in a last day shoot-out with Aberdeen at Ibrox. It was a huge moment for Smith and he never looked back.
The Scottish Cup returned to Ibrox in 1992 for the first time in 11 years as Walter’s new look side completed a League and Cup double. This was followed by a domestic treble and a European run which would see Rangers come within 90 minutes of reaching the inaugural Champions League Final. At one stage unbeaten for a staggering 44 games, the season 1992/93 is considered one of the greatest in our history.
Able to attract players of the calibre of Mikhailichenko, Laudrup and Gascoigne, silverware kept on coming and by the end of season 1996/97 Rangers had secured a ninth successive league championship thus equalling the previous record. Perhaps remaining too loyal to an ageing group of players, Smith narrowly missed out on a tenth title and would leave Rangers in 1998. A trophyless season was absolutely not the way he would have envisaged it ending for him.
Following a dismal spell under Frenchman Paul Le Guen, Rangers turned to their former boss and Walter agreed to take over for a second stint in January 2007. If Walter had been fortunate enough to enjoy tremendous financial backing in the 1990s, the Club was in a very different position this time around. For large periods of time, the Bank was effectively running the Club and Walter would need to ‘box clever’ in terms of recruitment knowing that any assets were likely to be sold from under him.
The level of player at his disposal may have diminished but the outcome remained the same. Walter would lead Rangers to three successive titles from 2009 to 2011. For good measure, he would secure another 2 Scottish Cups and 3 league cups during his second spell in charge whilst guiding the Club to their first European Final in 36 years. It had been a truly remarkable achievement by the man the fans referred to simply as “Sir Walter”. As a manager, he would oversee Rangers winning a staggering 21 major trophies.
Walter epitomised all that Rangers stood for. Proud of his origins, he remained humble and performed his role with great humility. The outpouring of grief and personal tributes following his passing in 2021 was a clear indication of the utmost respect he commanded throughout world football and society as a whole.
by Rick Plews
