Walter Smith, the former Rangers and Scotland manager, died after a long illness at the age of 73, according to his former club.
Smith is one of the most influential individuals in Ibrox history, having won 10 league titles in two spells as manager, including seven in a row on his way to the club’s all-time record of nine.
Smith also managed Everton from 1998 to 2002, serving as the club’s manager at Goodison Park.
Walter Smith Bio
Walter Ferguson Smith OBE was a Scottish football player, manager and director. He is primarily associated with his two spells as manager of Scottish club Rangers.
A defender, Smith’s playing career consisted of two spells with Dundee United, split by a short time at Dumbarton. A pelvic injury caused his retirement from playing and Smith moved into coaching at Dundee United, working for manager Jim McLean. Smith also took charge of the Scotland under-18 and under-21 teams, and assisted Scotland manager Alex Ferguson at the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, after it had been announced that he would be moving to Rangers as assistant to Graeme Souness.
Smith became the manager of Rangers in 1991, succeeding Souness. He won 13 major trophies in seven years, including seven league titles in succession. After leaving Rangers at the end of the 1997–98 season, he was appointed manager of English Premier League club Everton. He was in charge at Goodison Park for four seasons before he was sacked in 2002.
After a brief stint as assistant manager to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, Smith was appointed Scotland manager in December 2004. He presided over a revival in their fortunes, taking the national team 70 places up the FIFA World Rankings. After a good start to UEFA Euro 2008 qualification, he resigned as Scotland manager in January 2007 to return to Rangers. He won eight trophies during his second spell as Rangers manager and guided the team to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final, before retiring from management in 2011. Smith is the second-most successful manager in the history of Rangers, behind Bill Struth.
Cause Of Death
Rangers legend Walter Smith took ill with cancer and had an operation, instead of the vitriolic abuse that Shane Duffy has received Celtic Twitter has been amazing in its response.
Never forget Walter Smith carrying Tommy Burns coffin… always puts things into perspective. Football to one side… a great manager. God bless.
pic.twitter.com/ 3X9vW2t6R1 — Chris Bungard (@CowaBungard) March 13, 2021
Before any shite on here, please remember this is Walter Smith at Tommy Burns funeral!! pic.twitter.com/
eTsuCDCRuv — Tír Eoghain! (@socialistrep16) March 13, 2021
Rivalry aside, I would like to send my best wishes to Walter Smith and his family on a speedy recovery
— Lets Talk Celtic FC (@LetsTalkCeltic) March 14, 2021
Just saw the statement that’s been released about Walter Smith.
A sad day that a hand is forced due to rumours on social media , we all know what they were.
The man fought his corner for his team and I’m sure he will do the same regarding his health.— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) March 13, 2021
Really refreshing to see all the goodwill from across the footballing spectrum towards Walter Smith. It’s sad to say that it has surprised me, but it has. Some things are bigger than football and it’s good to see an instance where everyone agrees that’s the case.
— Laura Bradburn (@LBrad88) March 13, 2021
If this is true about Walter Smith, I hope he’s ok and recovers quickly. Any Celtic fan like me doesn’t show any respect for him don’t deserve any respect back. Remember he carried the coffin for one of our club legend that is Tommy Burns!
— Mike Carr (@mikecarr1888) March 13, 2021
Great respect for Walter Smith. Broke my heart on numerous occasions. A real football man. Speedy recovery!
— Doiminic Ó Braonáin (@dbrennan83) March 13, 2021
It is great to see that football aside, we can rally around a man who defied the hate and was close friends with both sides of the divide.
I wish Walter all the best, cancer is a scourge, I hope as many Celts do that he survives it. YNWA.
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