Former football manager and legend Walter Smith left the world at the age of 73. Smith is mostly known for his time with Rangers FC and he won 21 titles with the team in two different stints. He also led the Rangers to a 2008 UEFA Finals appearance. Before joining the Rangers, he coached Everton for four years and had two years as the manager of the Scotland national team.
It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers. He embodied everything that a Ranger should be. His character and leadership was second to none and will live long in the memory of everyone he worked with during his two terms as first-team manager. I spoke with Walter as recently as last weekend. Even when he was battling illness, he was still able to provide advice and support. For that, I am personally grateful. I know that he continued also to maintain dialogue with senior members of staff, including our manager, Steven Gerrard. Walter will be sorely missed by all of us at Rangers. For Rangers supporters, he was much more than just a football manager. Walter was a friend to many, a leader, an ambassador, and most of all a legend.
Douglas Park, Rangers chairman