Walter Smith: Rangers legend passes away aged 73 after battle with illness as Ibrox club pay tribute to...

RANGERS legend Walter Smith has died aged 73 after a battle with illness.

The Ibrox side released a statement about their former manager, praising his contribution to the club.

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Chairman Douglas Park paid his own tribute to Smith, who managed the club from 1991 until 1998 and again between 2007 and 2011.

Mr Park said: “On behalf of the Rangers board of directors, staff and players, I convey my deep condolences to the Smith family.

"Walter leaves behind a wife, children and grandchildren, all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

“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.

“Winning 10 top-flight titles as manager, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups, as well as leading his club to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008, he will be remembered by the football community across the world.

"His spells as Scotland manager as well as managing in the English Premier League underlined his credentials as one of the great modern-day football managers.

“However, 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.”

In March Rangers confirmed that Smith was in hospital recovering from an operation.

Heartfelt tributes from across the football spectrum have now been pouring in after the sad news broke.

Rangers hero Ally McCoist played under Smith during the club's nine-in-a-row spell in the nineties and formed a close relationship with his former manager as he later coached under him with Gers and Scotland.

He called Smith a "second father" in an emotional tribute live on talkSPORT.

The SFA said they were "deeply saddened" to learn of Smith's passing.

A statement said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the former Scotland national coach, and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history, Walter Smith.

"The thoughts of everyone at the Scottish FA are with his friends and family at this time."

Celtic said Smith was a "tremendous servant" to Scottish football.

The club said on Twitter: "Celtic Football Club expresses its deepest sympathies following the sad news that former Rangers and Scotland Manager, Walter Smith, has passed away.

"Walter was a tremendous servant to Scottish football and everyone at #CelticFC sends their heartfelt condolences."

Parkhead hero Frank McAvennie said: "Sad news this morning, Walter Smith has passed away and will be missed by so many people, if you met Walter you liked him, simple as that. RIP mate, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Smith joined Sir Alex Ferguson and a host of sporting greats at Loch Lomond last month in a rare public appearance.

He earned legendary status with Gers fans during a trophy-laden spell in charge of the Glasgow giants.

Smith, from Lanark, Lanarkshire, spent most of his playing career at Dundee United where he carved out a reputation as a no-nonsense defender during two spells at the club over a 14-year period with two seasons at Dumbarton from 1975 to 77.

He rubber-stamped his coaching credentials at Dundee United as Jim McLean’s assistant manager during a time of unprecedented success for the Tannadice outfit.

Smith was McLean’s right-hand man when they were crowned Premier Division champions in 1983 and reached the semi-finals of the European Cup the following season, losing 3–2 on aggregate to Italian cracks Roma.

Smith had also made his mark at international level, coaching the under-18s and under-21s before becoming Alex Ferguson’s assistant coach during the 1986 Mexico World Cup.

Later that year he made the move that would propel him to greatness when he joined Graeme Souness at Ibrox for what was to become a glittering 12-years at Ibrox.

Smith won three league titles and four League Cup medals as a key man in the Souness regime - an era dubbed The Rangers Revolution.

When Souness left Glasgow to join his beloved Liverpool, Sir David Murray shunned a more glamorous appointment by giving Smith the first managerial post of his career.

It turned out to be a masterstroke that signalled the start of a period of dominance that saw Gers equal Celtic’s then record-breaking nine top flight titles in a row.

Tributes pour in for former Rangers and Scotland manager as Celtic, Ally McCoist and more pay respects Rangers hero made rare public appearance with Sir Alex Ferguson last month as he battled illness Life and times of Rangers hero Walter Smith after sad death aged 73 Ally McCoist fights back tears as Gers icon reacts to passing of his 'second father' and great friend

Smith kept the momentum going after Souness’s departure and reached the trophy milestone during a glorious 1996/97 season that made humble Walter an Ibrox icon.

Smith left Rangers after Celtic won the league title in 1998 and one month later was unveiled as the manager of Everton where he remained for the next four years.

He left in 2002 in the wake of a demoralising FA Cup defeat against Middlesbrough and with the Toffees in danger of relegation from England’s top flight.

A short spell at Manchester United followed where he was reunited with pal Sir Alex Ferguson before he returned home to manage the national team in 2004.

Smith lifted the Scotland team out of the doldrums but they fell agonisingly short of qualifying for The World Cup in 2008 - although a memorable 1-0 win over reigning champs France at Hampden Park was a massive moment.

Hopes were high that better days were to come under Smith but he couldn't resist the urge to return to Ibrox when the call came in in 2007.

Scotland fans were gutted but Gers supporters welcomed Smith home with open arms after Frenchman Paul Le Guen’s ill-fated spell as manager.

Smith’s comeback had the desired effect and Gers were back on top, winning the title three years on the trot before Smith bowed out left in a blaze of glory in 2011 with another domestic double and the club’s 54th top flight gong under his belt.

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