:Walter Smith

Smith was born in Lanark, but grew up in the Carmyle district in the East End of Glasgow,{{cite web |url=http://www.glasgowhistory.co.uk/Books/Carmyle%20Recollections/Chapters/Leisure.htm|title=Carmyle recollections – Leisure activities |publisher=East End Glasgow History|date=1 March 2010|access-date=9 October 2017}} and was a boyhood fan of Rangers.{{cite web |url=https://rangers.co.uk/club/history/former-managers/walter-smith/|title=Manager profile: Walter Smith|work=Official website|publisher=Rangers F.C.|access-date=9 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2305859/King-Walters-blue-blood-set-to-decide-his-destiny.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2305859/King-Walters-blue-blood-set-to-decide-his-destiny.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title='King Walter's' blue blood set to decide his destiny|publisher=Daily Telegraph|date=10 January 2007|access-date=27 August 2019}}{{cbignore}} He was employed by the South of Scotland Electricity Board, and played youth football for Drumchapel Amateurs,{{cite web|title=Sir Alex Ferguson unveils portrait of Drumchapel Amateurs founder Douglas Smith in the Scottish Football Museum|url=https://www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/sir-alex-ferguson-unveils-portrait-of-drumchapel-amateurs-founder-douglas-smith-in-the-scottish-football-museum/|publisher=Scottish Football Museum|date=20 February 2014|access-date=18 January 2018|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418163815/https://scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk/sir-alex-ferguson-unveils-portrait-of-drumchapel-amateurs-founder-douglas-smith-in-the-scottish-football-museum/|url-status=dead}} before launching his football career in the 1960s with Junior League team Ashfield.{{cite web |title=Walter Smith, managerial legend who steered Rangers to 21 trophies |date=26 October 2021 |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/19674424.obituary-walter-smith-managerial-legend-steered-rangers-21-trophies/ |publisher=Herald Scotland |access-date=27 October 2021}}

Smith was one of three Ashfield players signed by Dundee United manager Jerry Kerr in 1966, joining the club in November shortly after teammates Jim Cameron and Gerry Hernon. A versatile player, Smith appeared for the reserve team in a number of positions, initially as a right-half. He made his first team debut in a Scottish Football League match against Kilmarnock on 20 March 1967. He continued to play regularly for the reserves, but made only a handful of first-team appearances for Dundee United over the next four years until establishing himself in the latter part of the 1970–71 season.{{cite book|last1=Gracie|first1=Steve|title=The Rise of the Terrors: Dundee United FC, a Comprehensive History 1945–1979|date=2009|publisher=Arabest Publishing|location=Dundee|isbn=9780955834110|pages=307–308}} He also played for the Dallas Tornado in the United Soccer Association in 1967, when their roster was supplemented with Dundee United players.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasljerseys.com/Players/S/Smith.Walter.htm|title=NASL-Walter Smith|website=nasljerseys.com}}

Smith remained a regular first-team player for United until 1974, often in central defence. His future coaching mentor Jim McLean became manager in December 1971, and the following month his future managerial assistant Archie Knox became a teammate. In September 1973, Smith scored the only goal of the game as United defeated Dundee in the Dundee derby; he celebrated by kissing his boot, a gesture which he was later embarrassed by. He played in the 1974 Scottish Cup Final against Celtic, Dundee United's first appearance in a major final, but finished with a runners-up medal following a 3–0 defeat.

Smith played less regularly the following season, and in September 1975 was sold to Dumbarton. He had played in 108 league games, scoring two goals, between 1966 and 1975.{{cite news|title=Walter Smith – Player Statistics|url=http://www.dufcarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=209|access-date=9 October 2017|work=DUFC Archive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822033707/http://www.dufcarchive.co.uk/player.php?id=209|archive-date=22 August 2016|url-status=dead}}

Smith was brought to Dumbarton for a fee of £8,000 by the management team of Alex Wright and former Rangers player Davie Wilson, who was one of Smith's heroes as a teenage supporter. Wilson worked alongside Smith's father at a local steelworks in the village of Westburn, Cambuslang, and was a senior teammate at Dundee United.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/scottish-cup/interview-davie-wilson-on-golden-era-at-ibrox-and-hampden-1-4101820|title=Interview: Davie Wilson on golden era at Ibrox and Hampden|date=16 April 2016|access-date=11 October 2017|work=The Scotsman}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11190909/Walter-Smith-reveals-how-long-running-internal-warfare-at-Rangers-has-kept-him-away-from-Ibrox.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/11190909/Walter-Smith-reveals-how-long-running-internal-warfare-at-Rangers-has-kept-him-away-from-Ibrox.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Walter Smith reveals how long-running internal warfare at Rangers has kept him away from Ibrox|date=27 October 2014|access-date=11 October 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph }}{{cbignore}} During his spell with Dumbarton, the club made a rare appearance at the semi-final stage of the Scottish Cup in 1976, losing to Hearts after a replay, with Smith scoring an early own goal.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/dumbarton-supermo-gilbert-lawrie-yearns-3208508|title=Dumbarton supermo Gilbert Lawrie yearns after another cup semi-final despite memory of Walter Smith's own-goal clanger|work=Daily Record|date=5 March 2014 |access-date=11 October 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/games/197604141.html|title=Hearts 3 Dumbarton 0, 14 April 1976|publisher=London Hearts Supporters Club|access-date=11 October 2017}}

He played in 44 league games for Dumbarton{{cite web |url=http://sonsarchive.com/player.php?id=542|title=Dumbarton player Walter Smith profile|publisher=Dumbarton Football Club Historical Archive|access-date=11 October 2017}} before McLean paid a fee of £4,000 to bring him back to Dundee United in February 1977. Shortly afterwards, however, a serious pelvic injury effectively curtailed Smith's playing career at the age of 29.

Thereafter, he played mainly in the reserve team, helping to develop younger players. His final first-team appearance was in September 1980, by which time he was embarking on a coaching career. He appeared in 26 league matches during his second spell and, in total, made 183 senior appearances for Dundee United, scoring three goals. Additionally, he set a club record by making approximately 360 reserve-team appearances.

He developed his coaching skills as assistant manager to Jim McLean, at a time when Dundee United were Scottish champions and European Cup semi-finalists. While working with McLean, a notoriously hard-bitten manager, Smith developed a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian. According to Kevin Gallacher, who was an apprentice of the club at the time in the early 1980s, Smith could become ferociously angry and was known to deal out punches to enforce discipline.{{cite news|url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/comment/Profile-Walter-Smith.4049165.jp|title=Profile: Walter Smith|work=Scotland on Sunday|date=8 May 2008|access-date =28 June 2010}} He joined Dundee United's board of directors in 1986.

In 1978, he was appointed coach of the Scotland Under-18 team, and helped them to win the European Youth Championship in 1982. He became coach of the Under 21 team, and was Alex Ferguson's assistant manager during the 1986 Mexico World Cup. Ferguson commented on Smith by saying: "There are few people in the game with his experience, knowledge and technical ability."

In late February 1986, Smith attended a meeting the Gleneagles Hotel at which he was informed that Graeme Souness was to be appointed player-manager of Rangers, and the latter wanted Smith as his assistant.{{cite book |first1=Walter |last1=Smith |first2=Ken |last2=Gallacher |title=Mr Smith: The Fan Who Joined the Ibrox Legends |publisher=Mainstream Publishing Company |year=1994 |isbn=9-781-851586-684 }} Smith accepted the offer and within a few weeks Rangers made an official approach to Dundee United, who demanded £50,000 in compensation. The then Rangers chief executive David Holmes duly paid that amount, and Smith was allowed to join Rangers on 16 April.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19860416&printsec=frontpage&hl=en Smith was appointed assistant manager on 16 April and took on coaching responsibilities until Souness arrived on 1 May] Smith was initially placed in temporary charge of the first team whilst Souness negotiated his own release from his playing contact with Italian side Sampdoria. He took sole charge of two Scottish Premier Division matches, on 19 and 26 April, both away, to St Mirren and Aberdeen respectively.

Smith helped Souness guide Rangers to Premier Division and League Cup glory in 1986–87, another League Cup in 1987–88, the Premier Division and League Cup again in 1988–89, a second successive league title in 1989–90 and another League Cup in 1990–91.[http://www.rangers.co.uk/clubHistory/article/2566824]{{Dead link|date=February 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

With Souness continuing to play regularly until 1988, Smith was the principal figure in the dugout for many matches. In addition, Smith took sole charge of the team in the 1987 Scottish League Cup Final as Souness was suspended.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19871026&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|newspaper=The Glasgow Herald |date=26 October 1987 |page=9 |title=Spot-on Rangers earn the cheers |first=Jim |last=Reynolds |access-date=21 October 2017}} Souness was subject to an extensive touchline ban from February 1989, although he frequently circumvented this by naming himself as a substitute.{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/stephen-halliday-six-game-ban-unfair-try-a-two-year-stint-for-size-1-1497967 |title=Stephen Halliday: Six-game ban unfair? Try a two-year stint for size|date=21 January 2011|access-date=21 October 2017|work=The Scotsman}}

When Souness left for Liverpool in April 1991, Smith was appointed interim manager. This was made permanent in May 1991, after the club clinched its fourth title in five seasons.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13030001.FLASHBACK__1991_______Mark_Walters_and_Scott_Booth_recall_their_part_in_Smith___s_maiden_final_day_triumph_walters_BOOTH/|title=Flashback: 1991, Mark Walters and Scott Booth recall their part in Smith's maiden final-day triumph|date=14 May 2011|access-date=21 October 2017|work=The Herald}} Six more league titles in succession followed under Smith's tenure, including a domestic treble in 1992–93.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hateley-cleans-up-for-rangers-2316334.html |title=Football: Hateley cleans up for Rangers|date=29 May 1993|access-date=21 October 2017|work=The Independent}} He also won the Scottish Cup and the League Cup three times each. Smith took Rangers to the brink of the final of the Champions League in season 1992–93, going ten games without defeat in that campaign[https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec199293.html "European Competitions 1992–93"] Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.{{cite book |title=It's Rangers for me? |last=Magee |first=Jonathan |year=2007 |publisher=Fort Publishing |location=Glasgow |isbn=978-1-905769-10-0 |page=207 |quote=At this time David Murray was reaching a decade in charge and in this period Rangers had spent £90 million on players and £52 million on stadium development. |chapter='Old' and 'New' at Rangers Football Club }} and 44 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

This success was achieved at a cost, as Smith spent over £50m on transfer fees in his six years in charge – more than any other club in Great Britain over the same period{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/smith-ensures-rangers-are-not-prepared-to-stand-still-1243395.html|title=Smith ensures Rangers are not prepared to stand still|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent}} – although in terms of net spend, particularly due to the sales of Trevor Steven in 1991 for £5.5 million and Duncan Ferguson in 1994 for £4.3 million,{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12658252.everton-sign-up-their-43m-loan-star-ferguson-now-in-good-shape-to-face-greeks/|title=Everton sign up their #4.3m loan star Ferguson now in good shape to face Greeks|website=HeraldScotland|date=13 December 1994 |accessdate=9 April 2023}} it was comparable for much of that time to the type of support offered across the city to Tommy Burns at Celtic.{{ Cite news | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12327458.my-way-or-not-at-all-is-a-supremos-task/ | title=My way or not at all is a supremo's task

| work=The Herald| date=30 April 1997}}

Rangers equalled Celtic's record of nine successive championships in 1996–97. In an effort to secure a record-breaking tenth success in 1997–98, Rangers spent £13m on eight new players. In European competition, Rangers were beaten 4–1 by IFK Gothenburg in the 1997–98 UEFA Champions League preliminary round and 4–2 by Strasbourg in the first round of the 1997–98 UEFA Cup. There was growing pressure on Smith because of poor European results, and it was announced in October 1997 that he would leave Rangers at the end of the season. Rangers lost the league title to Celtic on the final day{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/90174.stm |title=Celtic get by with a little help from their Scandinavians |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 May 1998 |access-date=24 October 2017}} and then lost the 1998 Scottish Cup final to Hearts.{{Cite news |first=Calum |last=Philip |title=Scottish Cup Final: Stage of dramatic Hearts |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-scottish-cup-final-stage-of-dramatic-hearts-1158932.html |work=The Independent |location=London |date=17 May 1998 |access-date=12 October 2017}}

After success in his native Scotland, Smith's retirement lasted a month as he took the manager's job at Premier League club Everton in June 1998.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/1865462.stm Everton move for Moyes], BBC Sport, 13 March 2002 Initially Smith had been linked with the manager's job at Sheffield Wednesday,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/1870232.stm Smith's Everton years], BBC Sport, 13 March 2002 but false promises made to him by the Everton chairman of massive transfer funds and unlimited ambition lured Smith to Goodison Park. Smith spent money on players only to discover that it was money the club did not have. When Duncan Ferguson was sold behind Smith's back, he was tempted to quit. The remainder of his time at Everton revolved around selling the club's better players such as John Collins, Olivier Dacourt, Don Hutchison, Marco Materazzi, Nick Barmby, Francis Jeffers and Michael Ball to balance the books.

Under Smith, Everton finished in the bottom half of the table for three consecutive seasons. The Everton board finally ran out of patience with Smith and he was sacked in March 2002 after an "abject" 3–0 FA Cup sixth-round defeat to Middlesbrough, with Everton in some danger of relegation from the Premier League.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/1869018.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |title=Smith succumbs to pressure |date=13 March 2002 }} He was replaced by David Moyes, who managed Everton to a safe finish in fifteenth place.{{Cite web|url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/everton/2001-2002/table|title=Everton League Table 2001-2002 - Statto.com|date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322080744/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/everton/2001-2002/table|archive-date=22 March 2016}}

In March 2004, Smith returned to football when he had a short spell as assistant manager to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United at the end of the 2003–04 season.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/3530463.stm "Walter Smith joins Man Utd"] BBC Sport. 3 March 2004. During this time Manchester United won the 2004 FA Cup Final, beating Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15580178 |title=Walter Smith on Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years at Man Utd |website=BBC Sport |date=4 November 2011 |access-date=24 March 2019 }}

Smith was appointed manager of the Scottish national team on 2 December 2004, succeeding Berti Vogts.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4053193.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Scotland name Smith as new boss |date=2 December 2004}} Despite a revival of fortunes under Smith, including a home draw with Italy and an away win against Norway, hopes of reaching the 2006 World Cup were ended by a 1–0 home defeat against Belarus.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4301282.stm|title=Scotland 0–1 Belarus|date=8 October 2005|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2021}}

Scotland's world ranking improved by seventy places during his tenure. Scotland recorded a famous victory against World Cup runners-up France in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualification match at Hampden and temporarily led their group by three points.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5397614.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Scotland 1–0 France |date=7 October 2006|first=Colin|last=Moffat}} A 2–0 defeat against Ukraine on 11 October 2006 was the first of the campaign.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6037129.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Ukraine 2–0 Scotland |date=11 October 2006|first=Colin|last=Moffat}}

On 5 January 2007, press outlets reported that Rangers had spoken to Smith with a view to hiring him to manage Rangers again, with Ally McCoist as assistant manager.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2305597/Rangers-opt-for-McCoist-and-Smith.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2305597/Rangers-opt-for-McCoist-and-Smith.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |publisher=The Telegraph Sport|title=Rangers opt for McCoist and Smith |date=4 January 2007 |location=London |first=Roddy |last=Forsyth }}{{cbignore}} The Scottish FA initially rebuffed Rangers' approach for Smith, but his return as Rangers manager was announced on 10 January 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6233237.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Smith appointed boss of Rangers |date=10 January 2007}} He succeeded Paul Le Guen, who had left the club by mutual consent after Rangers had been knocked out of the 2006–07 Scottish League Cup by First Division side St Johnstone and fallen 17 points behind Celtic in the 2006–07 Scottish Premier League;{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6231965.stm|title=Rangers reel as Le Guen departs|date=4 January 2007|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2021}} caretaker manager Ian Durrant (who had previously played under him) was retained on the coaching staff.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30585753|title=Rangers: Gordon Durie to replace Ian Durrant in backroom team|date=23 December 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2021}}

Smith's first match in his second spell at Ibrox was a 5–0 win against Dundee United on 13 January, with two goals from Kris Boyd and one each from Barry Ferguson, Chris Burke and Charlie Adam. Smith's first final since his return was secured with a 2–0 win over Hearts in the 2007–08 Scottish League Cup. Rangers played Dundee United in the 2008 Scottish League Cup Final; the game was drawn 1–1 after normal time, and 2–2 after extra time. The winners were decided by penalty kicks. Rangers won 3–2, with Kris Boyd scoring the winning penalty (as well as the goals for Rangers in normal time and extra time).

In the 2007–08 UEFA Cup, Smith booked Rangers' first European final for 36 years, after an exit in the UEFA Champions League group stage on the final day after good results against VFB Stuttgart, Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona. In the quarter-final, after a 0–0 home draw with Sporting, Rangers went on to win the away leg 2–0. In the semi-final they drew 0–0 in both legs against Fiorentina and after extra time, they won 4–2 on penalties, taking Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester, which they lost 0–2 to Zenit St. Petersburg.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7393752.stm|title=Zenit St Petersburg 2–0 Rangers |date=14 May 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 October 2017}} Rangers also narrowly missed out on the league title, partly attributable to an end-of-season fixture backlog due to their cup runs. They added the 2007–08 Scottish Cup with a win over Queen of the South in what was their 68th match of the campaign;{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7416622.stm|title=Queen of the South 2–3 Rangers|date=24 May 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 October 2017}} afterwards, Smith revealed that assistant McCoist had been controlling the team in the Scottish Cup run.[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11781_3609816,00.html "Smith in McCoist revelation"] Sky Sports, 25 May 2008

In the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League second qualifying round, Rangers drew 0–0 with Lithuanian side FBK Kaunas at Ibrox on 30 July 2008 and lost the return leg 2–1. The loss against Kaunas meant Rangers made an early exit from European competition. Rangers went on to claim the SPL title – the club's 52nd championship – on 24 May 2009. Smith followed this up with the Scottish Cup a week later to end the season with a League and Cup double.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8072822.stm|title=Rangers 1–0 Falkirk|date=30 May 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 October 2017}}

In December 2009, it was revealed that Smith was to continue as Rangers manager without a contract when it expired the following month.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8398466.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Gers boss continues without deal |date=7 December 2009}} In March 2010, he guided Rangers to win the League Cup after they had been reduced to nine men in the final.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/rangers/7495266/St-Mirren-0-Rangers-1-match-report.html |title=St Mirren 0 Rangers 1 |date=21 March 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=22 March 2010 |location=London |first=Roddy |last=Forsyth |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525065433/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/scottishpremier/rangers/7495266/St-Mirren-0-Rangers-1-match-report.html |archive-date=25 May 2010 }} On 25 April 2010, Rangers clinched their 53rd league title with a 1–0 win away to Hibernian.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8638892.stm|title=Hibernian 0–1 Rangers|date=25 April 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Andy|last=Campbell}}

On 25 May 2010, Smith signed a new one-year deal to continue as Rangers manager throughout the 2010–11 campaign. He stated that it would be his last as Rangers manager,{{cite news|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20100525/exclusive-walter-stays_2254024_2059333|title=Walter Signs New Contract: News|date=25 May 2010|work=Rangers F.C.|access-date=25 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528170944/http://www.rangers.co.uk/articles/20100525/exclusive-walter-stays_2254024_2059333|archive-date=28 May 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8704867.stm |title=Walter Smith to stay at Rangers for one last season |date=25 May 2010 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=25 May 2010}} with McCoist to take control thereafter.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8705050.stm |title=McCoist thrilled with future role as Rangers boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2010}} In this final season as manager, Smith led Rangers to another domestic double, winning the League Cup{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8394485/Celtic-1-Rangers-2-match-report.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/8394485/Celtic-1-Rangers-2-match-report.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Celtic 1 Rangers 2|date=20 March 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=12 October 2017}}{{cbignore}} and their 54th league championship. The league title was secured on the final day of the season, with a 5–1 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm |work=BBC News |first=Colin |last=Moffat |title=Kilmarnock 1–5 Rangers |date=15 May 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/the-perfect-ending-for-fivestar-smith-16000487.html|title=The perfect ending for five-star Smith|date=16 May 2011|work=The Belfast Telegraph|access-date=16 May 2011}}

Rangers entered administration in February 2012. An attempt to take the club out of administration by means of a creditors voluntary arrangement was rejected by HM Revenue & Customs, the largest creditor, putting the club into liquidation in June 2012. The administrator, Duff & Phelps, sold the assets of Rangers to a consortium led by Charles Green. Smith said that he was leading a consortium offering a deal to buy the assets from Green,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18447530 |work=BBC News |title=Charles Green completes Rangers purchase despite Walter Smith bid |date=14 June 2012 }} but this offer was withdrawn days later.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18503656 |website=BBC Sport |title=Rangers: Walter Smith group drops bid for club |date=19 June 2012 }} On 11 November 2012, Smith returned to Ibrox taking on a role with the new Rangers company as a non-executive director.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20292601 |website=BBC Sport |title=Walter Smith becomes non-executive director at Rangers |date=11 November 2012 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/2635-walter-returns-to-rangers |publisher=Rangers FC |title=Walter returns to Rangers |date=11 November 2012 |access-date=12 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114054236/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/2635-walter-returns-to-rangers |archive-date=14 November 2012 |url-status=dead }} Smith was appointed non-executive chairman in May 2013,{{cite news |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4061-board-change |publisher=Rangers FC |title=Board Change |date=30 May 2013 |access-date=30 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617180131/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/4061-board-change |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead }} but he resigned from the board in August.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23570933 |title=Rangers: Walter Smith quits as chairman at Ibrox |first=Chris |last=McLaughlin |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=9 February 2018}}

Smith was linked with a return to management as Scotland manager in February 2018, but he withdrew his name from consideration after discussions with the Scottish FA.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43001773 |title=Scotland: Walter Smith rules out national manager's job return |first=Chris |last=McLaughlin |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2018 |access-date=9 February 2018}}

Smith was married to Ethel, with whom he had two sons, Neil and Steven.[https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12244957/walter-smith-former-rangers-everton-and-scotland-boss-dies-aged-73 "Walter Smith: Former Rangers, Everton and Scotland boss dies aged 73"] – Sky Sports, 26 October 2021

Smith was a close friend of former Celtic player and manager Tommy Burns. He was a pallbearer at Burns's funeral in 2008.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Aidan |title=Tommy Burns' son hails Rangers legend Walter Smith as 'Simply The Best' |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/19675817.tommy-burns-son-hails-rangers-legend-walter-smith-simply-best/ |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=Glasgow Times |date=27 October 2021}}

Politically, Smith described himself as a socialist and said he was brought up with "socialist principles".{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Ewan |title=Walter Smith uneasy about playing during Scottish referees' strike |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/nov/26/walter-smith-referees-strike |access-date=26 September 2010 |work=Glasgow Times |date=26 September 2010}}

During the 2014 Scottish independence referendum Smith was a supporter of the Better Together campaign against Scottish independence.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/independence-referendum-football-legends-unite-4173636 |title=Independence referendum: Football legends unite to back Better Together campaign - Daily Record |author=Torcuil Crichton |work=dailyrecord |accessdate=8 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906203231/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/independence-referendum-football-legends-unite-4173636 |archive-date=6 September 2014 }}

He underwent an unspecified medical operation in March 2021 that required him to stay in hospital.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56388907 |title=Rangers: Walter Smith in hospital following operation |website=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2021 |accessdate=14 March 2021}}

File:Walter Smith statue 3.jpg

Smith died from cancer on the morning of 26 October 2021, aged 73.{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Brian |title=Walter Smith obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/oct/27/walter-smith-obituary |access-date=28 October 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=27 October 2021}} A private family funeral was held on 3 November, followed by a public memorial service at Glasgow Cathedral on 19 November.{{cite news |title=Walter Smith: Galaxy of stars from UK football honour former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59350643 |access-date=19 November 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 November 2021}}

On 25 May 2024, a statue of Smith was unveiled in front of Ibrox's Copland Road Stand.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-25 |title=Walter Smith statue unveiled at Ibrox |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/cpvvw5k923yo |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=BBC Sport}}

Dundee United

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 1973–74

Scotland U18

• UEFA European Under-18 Championship: 1982
• Atlantic Cup: 1979{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/gc-atlantico.html |title=Copa del Atlantico 1979 |website=RSSSF |access-date=24 March 2019 }}

Rangers

• Scottish Premier Division/Scottish Premier League: 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11{{cite web |title=Scottish Football: Scottish League, Champions by Year |url=https://www.infofootballonline.com/top_tournaments/scottish_premier_league.htm |publisher=InfoFootballOnline |access-date=27 October 2021}}
• Scottish Cup: 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 2007–08, 2008–09{{cite web |title=Scottish Cup – Past Winners |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-cup/archive/scottish-cup-history/scottish-cup-winners/ |publisher=Scottish FA |access-date=27 October 2021}}
• Scottish League Cup: 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11{{cite web |title=Scottish Football League Cup 1940–41 to 2020–21 |url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/world-football/scottish-football/scottish-league-cup-winners/ |publisher=My Football Facts |access-date=27 October 2021}}
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2007–08

Scotland

• Kirin Cup: 2006{{cite news |title=Smith pleased with Japanese trip |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4768345.stm |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=BBC News |date=13 May 2006}}

• Scottish Premier League Manager of the Year: 2007–08,{{cite news |title=Rangers land SPL awards hat-trick |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/7347583.stm |access-date=27 October 2021 |date=15 April 2008}} 2009–10{{cite web |title=CB award winners in full |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/cb-award-winners-in-full-2010-04-20 |website=spfl.co.uk |publisher=SPFL |access-date=27 October 2021 |date=20 April 2010}}
• SFWA Manager of the Year: 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1995–96, 1996–97, 2007–08, 2009–10{{cite web |title=Manager of the Year |url=https://www.scottishfwa.com/manager-of-the-year |website=SFWA |access-date=27 October 2021}}
• PFA Scotland Manager of the Year: 2009–10{{cite news |title=Davis crowned player of the year |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8657569.stm |access-date=27 October 2021 |date=2 May 2010 |quote=... Rangers dominated the PFA Scotland awards. Walter Smith was named manager of the year, with defender Danny Wilson being voted top young player...}}
• Premier League Manager of the Month: September 1999{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/managers/1563/Walter-Smith/overview |title=Manager profile: Walter Smith |publisher=Premier League |access-date=18 September 2018}}
• Scottish Premier League Manager of the Month: August 2007,{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=8&SeasonID=1 |title=Awards Aug 07 |access-date=3 March 2011}} January 2008,{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=13&SeasonID=1 |title=Awards Jan 08 |access-date=3 March 2011 }} March 2008,{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=15&SeasonID=1 |title=Awards Mar 08 |access-date=3 March 2011}} April 2009,{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=16&SeasonID=2 |title=Awards Apr 09 |access-date=3 March 2011}} December 2009,{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=12&SeasonID=3 |title=Awards Dec 09 |access-date=3 March 2011}} August 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthly.aspx?MonthID=8 |title=Awards Aug 2010 |access-date=3 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117185039/http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthly.aspx?MonthID=8 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |url-status=dead }}

Honorary degree

• Honorary doctorate in recognition of his achievements in Scottish football, Glasgow Caledonian University (2012){{cite news |title=Honorary degree for 'Doctor' Walter |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13235208.honorary-degree-for-doctor-walter/ |access-date=27 October 2021 |work=Glasgow Times |date=27 June 2012 |language=en}}

Orders

• Officer of the Order of the British Empire: 1997{{London Gazette |issue=54794 |supp=y |page=13 |date=13 June 1997}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{soccerbase (manager)|id=1312|name=Walter Smith}}
• {{NeilBrownPlayers|player/waltersmith}}
• [http://fitbastats.com/scotland/manager.php?id=19 Fitba Stats profile (Scotland)]
• [http://www.fitbastats.com/rangers/manager.php?id=104 Fitba Stats profile (Rangers)]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Walter}}

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