jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Win, Lose or Draw tomorrow will be Walter Smith's last game as Rangers manager, or even possibly involved in Rangers, but this man couldn't have ever imagined it ending like this.Growing up in Carmyle Walter Smtih supported the mighty Rangers. At the age of just 18, Walter Smith signed for Dundee United and played well over 250 games, scoring twice. He then moved on to new pastures in Dumbarton at the end of the 75-77 season for 7 THOUSAND POUNDS, although he was only there for 2 years he moved back to Dundee United and made a further 26 appearances while learning from Jim McLean as a Player/Coach, before calling it quit's on his career. Racking up 178 appearances and only just 2 goals. Many may have thought this was the end of Walter Smiths footballing career, but it was only just beginning.While as a Player/Coach at Dundee United, it was said Walter Smith had a ferocious temper and could snap just like a twig. In early 1978 Walter Smith was appointed coach of the Scotland U18's team, to which he then lead them to win the European Youth Championship in 1982. He then moved up in the footballing ranks by becoming a coach to the U21's. During the 1986 world cup Walter Smith was appointed Assistant Manager of Scotland, By the great Sir Alex Ferguson. Later on, Sir Alex Ferguson went on to tell the press "There are few people in the game with his experience, knowledge and technical ability."Later on in 1986 Graham Souness had invited Walter Smith to be his assistant manager at Glasgow Rangers. In his first season under Graham Souness they won the league and league cup by defeating Celtic 2-1 in the final. *Two more Championships were to follow, this time in successive seasons (1988–89 and 1989–90), and a further two League Cup victories, over Aberdeen 3–2 in 1988–89 and Celtic 2–1 in 1990–91. Souness left Rangers, to take over as manager of Liverpool, in 1991, replaced by his assistant, Walter Smith, four games prior to the end of what was to become another championship-winning season.*Seven league titles then followed in suit, including a domestic treble during the 1992–93 season. He also won the Scottish Cup and League cup three times each. Achieving such success came at a cost, £50m during the six years he was in charge, which was also more than any other club in Scotland or England at the same time. During that time he signed players such as Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup, Andy Goram and Gennaro Gattuso. It was then announced in October 1997 that Walter Smith was to retire after a period of great success in the Scottish Premier League. During the 1992/93 season, Walter Smith took Rangers to the brink of a Champions League Final going ten games without defeat in that campaign. Early in 1998, Walter Smith left Rangers, although he returned sooner rather than later.On the 5th of January 2007 it was leaked by various press outlets that Rangers had spoken to Walter Smith about a possible return to the club, to which he arrived in just under a week, signing for Rangers as manager on the 10th of January 2007, succeeding a not so successful Paul Le Guen. Walter Smiths first match back as Rangers was a thrilling 5-0 destruction of Dundee United, with goals from Kris Boyd (2), Chris Burke, Barry Ferguson and Charlie Adam. It wasn't long until silverware returned to Ibrox Stadium once Rangers beat Hearts 2-0 in the 2007–08 Scottish League Cup semi-finals, although it was to be a tense Final which had to be settled by penalties, Kris Boyd was the saviour on the day scoring the main goals to win it for Rangers.Meanwhile on the European stage Walter Smith had booked Rangers' first European final for 36 years, after an exit in the UEFA Champions League group stage on the final day. In the quarter-final, after a 0–0 home draw with Sporting, Rangers went on to win an emotional 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 to which Nacho Novo the Rangers Fan Favourite scored the winning penalty, taking Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester, which they sadly lost 0–2 to Zenit St. Petersburg. The next year in Europe turned out to be dreadful, drawing 0-0 with FBK Kaunas at Ibrox to which they lost the return leg in Lithuania 2-1 which meant an early exit for Rangers, meaning they could focus on the domestic side of things. *Rangers went on to claim the SPL title — Rangers' 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.**In December 2009, it was revealed that Smith was to continue as Rangers manager without a contract when it expired the following month. In March 2010, he guided Rangers to win the League Cup after they had been reduced to nine men in the final. On 25 April 2010, Smith led Rangers to their 53rd title and their second in a row after a 1–0 win away to Hibernian.[17] On 25 May 2010, Smith signed a new one-year deal to continue as Rangers manager throughout the 2010–11 campaign, stating that it will be his last as Rangers manager.*Tomorrow will be the last time Walter Smith leads Rangers out, and i'd just like to thank him for all of the success he's brought Rangers over the years and thank him for the success he's brought during the past few years without very much money, and having to sell star players e.g. Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd, Charlie Adam and fan Favourite Nacho Novo.And somehow, Just somehow i don't think Walter Smith could've ever imagined his career being anything like this for Rangers. Walter Smith, You'll forever be a Rangers Legend.* - Taken from Wikipedia. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie1807 146 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Wasn't he our manager during the 94-95 season? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steg-il Ostenstad 11 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Charlie Adam.....Star Player??? Really??? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Wasn't he our manager during the 94-95 season? Aye?Never said he wasn't. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie1807 146 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Growing up in Lanark Walter Smtih supported the mighty Rangers, at the age of just 18, Walter Smith signed for Dundee United and played 108 games, scoring twice. He then moved on to new pastures in Dumbarton at the end of the 94-95 season for 7 THOUSAND POUNDS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Growing up in Lanark Walter Smtih supported the mighty Rangers, at the age of just 18, Walter Smith signed for Dundee United and played 108 games, scoring twice. He then moved on to new pastures in Dumbarton at the end of the 94-95 season for 7 THOUSAND POUNDSTypo, SHITTTTT. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL.I.AM 18 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Aye u said he was at Dumbarton then lol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottjf82 104 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Aye?Never said he wasn't.He then moved on to new pastures in Dumbarton at the end of the 94-95 season for 7 THOUSAND POUNDS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Fixed it, sorry 'bout that lads, typo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeds_Bear 8,110 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Great post mate, the wily old fox will be missed greatly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Great post mate, the wily old fox will be missed greatly!Cheers mate. He really is a true great. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rambo1428 16 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Stop criticizing a few typo's and appreciate the time and effort that has been put inGreat article, and Walter deserves a win tomorrow, for his service to the club, and although he has made some dodgy decisions when it comes to tactics and signings but he is and always will be a true rangers legend Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budswiser 196 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 Lanark? Walter came from Carmyle in the east end of Glesga, 5 minutes from where I stay. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 14, 2011 Author Share Posted May 14, 2011 Lanark? Walter came from Carmyle in the east end of Glesga, 5 minutes from where I stay.Sorry mate. In my Walter Smith book i got with a newspaper it says Lanark, i'll go change it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverBlue_Since91 2,895 Posted May 14, 2011 Share Posted May 14, 2011 He started supporting us at 18? A bit late there is he no? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdocherty72 215 Posted May 15, 2011 Author Share Posted May 15, 2011 This is it.Soon he'll lead us out for thme last time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuvey 5 Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Mon Walter, go out in style!A want to see you parade round Ibrox tonight with the SPL trophy in your hands a smile from cheek to cheek! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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