Boab 73 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Ian Durrant has revealed the personal side of the professional relationship that has created his close bond with Walter Smith at Rangers. Durrant has recently become the go-between for the Ibrox boss and his touchline team of Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall while Smith serves a four-match touchline ban imposed by the SFA. The funny side of the partnership was captured by TV cameras during Rangers' 2 -1 win over Celtic at Ibrox on Sunday when Smith was seen to slap his side-kick on the back of the head as tension rose during the Old Firm match. But while he may look like his gaffer's favourite whipping boy Durrant knows the two men have a far deeper and more serious relationship that's closer to father and son. It was a relationship forged at a time of great personal sorrow in Durrant's life and has created a unique bond that will never be broken. Durrant said: "Twenty years ago I lost my father at a time when I was still working hard to rehabilitate myself after the injury at Aberdeen that threatened my playing career. "At that time I was attending the injury rehabilitation centre in Lillieshall. I'd gone there because I didn't want to be the guy everyone felt sorry for inside Ibrox. "To lose my dad when I was working hard to salvage my career meant it was a really difficult time. It was a lot to deal with but Walter made sure I didn't lose focus. "I can't think of any way to put it other than to say Walter was a rock for me and my family. It was a personal touch that forged a relationship between two families, not just player and manager. "He was assistant manager to Graeme Souness at that time and became like a second father to me. "I went back to Lillieshall after my father's funeral and every couple of days Walter would be on the phone to ask how my recovery programme was coming along. "You would need to have gone through something like that to know what it's like to have someone who cares for you taking an interest in your well being." That's why Durrant's keen to make it clear the cuff on the back of the neck in the midst of an Old Firm match shouldn't be misinterpreted as anything other than a mark of close understanding. He said:"It was a playful slap and when the game was over we were laughing about it after it became clear it had been on TV. "We were under the cosh from Celtic and Walter was getting his frustration out because he's banned from going down to the trackside." The fact the 61-year-old boss still retains his enthusiasm for the job he's held twice at Ibrox only increases Durrant's admiration for his mentor. The former midfield star said: "Walter has had my total respect since those days when I was fighting to get back into a Rangers jersey. "I remember him being as pleased as I was when I finally got back into the first team. "By then he was guiding my steps and telling me my recovery had to be taken at a gentle pace. He knew I couldn't play in every game and shared my relief I could play at all." Now Smith can count Durrant among his trusted lieutenants as he builds what could be a Rangers dynasty that will take control of the club after he's gone from the manager's office. But Durrant knows his gaffer well enough to know that day isn't yet on the horizon. The 42-year-old said: "Walter came back to Rangers from the Scotland job and steadied the ship at Ibrox. "He doesn't take a back seat now in spite of having completed that job with the winning of the championship last season. "He's already there when I get to Murray Park for training every morning, watching DVDs showing our next opponents and working on things we can use. "I sometimes ask him, 'Whendo you chill out gaffer?' "But I admire his enthusiasm and will to win. In my eyes there's no better person to learn under." Durrant has a vision of his future and hopes it corresponds with Rangers' plans for him. He said: "I'd like to move up the ranks in terms of Rangers' coaching staff and Walter makes sure he involves me, Ally and Kenny in the everyday decision making process. "We're what you might call a discussion team and get a say in all matters relating to the team. "The best day is a Friday when the pastries and the tea come out and we start to talk about team selection for the following day. "It's a very happy working environment and that's when the best work gets done." Durrant has lived through the days when money was no object under Souness at the start of the Ibrox revolution. Now he knows a different set of financial rules apply and is comfortable with that while Smith dictates the path taken by Rangers. He said: "Walter knows we have to work with the tools we've got at Ibrox. "He's a humble man from a humble background and has a humble philosophy on football. "Times are hard in the game but Walter can work on a shoestring budget. "I know I'll become a better coach working under him and want to take more responsibility the older I get. "What better role model could I have than a man who still cares enough to give somebody a cuff on the back of the head because he's so keen to see Rangers do well ?" http://www.<No links to this website>/football/spl/...86908-21729099/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jardy 0 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 how anyone could mistake it for anything other than a playful banter slap is beyond me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henders82 544 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 "The best day is a Friday when the pastries and the tea come out....." I love his tongue in cheek sense of humour!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnicholl2910 1 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Can someone post a link to the slap...i have never seen it... Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Can someone post a link to the slap...i have never seen it... Cheers very first post http://forum.rangersmedia.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=126247 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccoist355 4 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 how anyone could mistake it for anything other than a playful banter slap is beyond me Has anyone? Let me guess, a MOPE somewhere pohoned the Police reporting Watty for GBH Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bombaybadboy08 15,660 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 Walter sounds a fantastic human being,being a Father figure to Durrant and also the Gazza story about inviting him over for Christmas dinner,probably loads more we dont know about. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emerson 2 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 "Walter knows we have to work with the tools we've got at Ibrox" A bit harsh I thought! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeGowse 13 Posted October 7, 2009 Share Posted October 7, 2009 "Walter knows we have to work with the tools we've got at Ibrox" A bit harsh I thought! I think he means that we dont necesserily have the money to go out and buy players left right and centre like we could in the 90's. therefore, we have to look more to what options we have in the existing squad and how to get the most out of them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delparlane 5,753 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Walter sounds a fantastic human being,being a Father figure to Durrant and also the Gazza story about inviting him over for Christmas dinner,probably loads more we dont know about. Dignity personified is Mr. Smith. One of the last of the true gents. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShootSpeedKillLight 0 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 As much as I might criticise him, I often forget how lucky we are to have someone who is universally regarded as a great manager and basically an all round decent guy as Walter Smith. I'm not saying some of the criticism levelled his way isn't justified, but if we were to ask for someone to personify Rangers as a club I don't think we could have anyone better. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carsons Dog 9,878 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Dignity personified Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianwrsc 23 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 As much as I might criticise him, I often forget how lucky we are to have someone who is universally regarded as a great manager and basically an all round decent guy as Walter Smith. I'm not saying some of the criticism levelled his way isn't justified, but if we were to ask for someone to personify Rangers as a club I don't think we could have anyone better. Excellent post exactly how i feel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sillybilly 151 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 it was a fair whack right enough ! if that was a father figure slap he'll need to watch if he does it again, wee durranty might be straight on the phone to the rspcc. thats the Royal Society of Pretection of Cruelty to Children, not Rangers Supporters Prefer Cruelty to Celtic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianBacon 2,088 Posted October 9, 2009 Share Posted October 9, 2009 Never mind the slap, playful or otherwise, I wish people would focus on a more serious part of this TV footage - namely a C.E.O. of a world famous football team who nonchalantly picks his nose in public (captured mid-pick behind the gaffer). Forget domestic violence (this father & son thing is getting boring wee man - he gave you a dull yin), I want to know what the club is doing about this bald bastard who is damaging our public image with his unclean nasal habits? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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