Walter Smith

[Gribz 745]

Im surprised WS doesn't have his own thread....And I sense a tad negativity about him. No idea why that is. That man IS a Rangers LEGEND hands down.

 

His only downfall was in Europe playing 3-5-2....we should have been destroying teams but Craig Moore central mid and that Cleland bloke on the right wouldn't beat the bin men never mind Juventus. That was Walters only downfall. He should have used Gascoigne and Laudrup to his advantage. Both of them were capable of winning tournaments. Before Ajax away id have said to Gascoigne - go win me the tournament.

 

But domestically - what a hero....we probably took for granted his second spin...3 titles in a row, UEFA cup final...he knows how to win.

 

Wally is our Alex Ferguson.

 

Barmy army - Walter Smiths......

[the gunslinger 3,366]

He would get my vote for greatest ever ranger.

 

 

[Scott7 5,553]

Second to Struth.

[ian1964 10,591]

Walter Smith warns Mark Warburton he has 1 season before fan pressure starts

 

WALTER SMITH is a born and bred Ranger. A lifelong supporter, a Glaswegian familiar with the club’s history and tradition.

 

But on his arrival at Ibrox as a coach in 1986 even he was stunned by the sheer magnitude of the job.

 

The Rangers manager job is now in the hands of Mark Warburton, a Londoner whose journey to Govan included stop offs at Watford and Brentford.

 

So Smith understands why he might be finding the enormity of what’s in front of him difficult to overcome.

 

Warburton revealed a fortnight ago that he’s used Smith and ‘Greatest Ever Ranger’ John Greig as sounding boards when he feels he needs advice.

 

Former nine-in-a-row gaffer Smith is only too happy to help. But he knows Warburton has to find out for himself what the role entails.

 

With Rangers currently toiling to nail down second place in the Premiership, the pressure is growing on the Englishman.

 

Smith believes he’s entitled to a year’s grace this term on the Ibrox club’s return to the top flight and that finishing second behind a rampant Celticside should be viewed as progress. But next year?

 

The veteran gaffer says Warburton must use investment from the Ibrox board to narrow the gap considerably on their Old Firm rivals.

 

Smith said: “I’ve been out with Mark a couple of times but I wouldn’t say I’ve given him advice. We speak about football. He’s asked me a few things about Rangers and how I found the job.

 

“He will have his own ideas about

managing the club. But there are aspects of it that, if he asks us, John and I can answer him.

 

“I had supported Rangers all my life before I went to Dundee United.

 

“But when I went to work at Rangers, I could see the massive difference between the clubs. And Rangers were struggling in 1986. You could see the differences in what was needed to handle the club. You can’t tell anyone that.

 

“It’s something they have to experience themselves. It goes back to the Bill Struth line about being able to play against Rangers, but can you play for them?

 

“These are the things Mark will need to pick up. He knows the enormity of the task he’s taken on.

 

“Rangers have had problems. They have had a load of issues to deal with in the aftermath of four years where they were mis-managed.

 

“They have a new board who have to handle that as well as trying to find investment for the team.

 

“This is a difficult period for the club on and off the pitch. Common sense will tell you it’ll take time.

 

“So they’ve got a year. Even the most fervent Rangers supporter would realistically admit that if Rangers finish second in the league – and towards the end of the season look as if they’re getting closer to Celtic – it would be acceptable.

 

“But next season, whatever happens, there will need to be a bigger challenge to Celtic. They’ll need a bigger push, which means trying to find investment. That’s where the club have a problem.

 

“There is no use being at Rangers saying it can’t be done. They know they’ve got to do it. Mark will know that.

 

“I don’t think he’ll accept finishing second but, realistically, that would be a good season for Rangers this year.”

 

Smith knows Warburton will continue to feel the heat if Rangers drop more points at home. But he’s still convinced Gers are the ONLY top-flight side who can genuinely

challenge Brendan Rodgers’ men – if Dave King & Co. can provide funds.

 

Smith said: “Currently, the biggest disappointment for the fans has been a couple of draws they’ve had at home.

 

“If they’d won those matches, they’d be out clear in second pace in the league. Which is the right place

 

“Yes, the gap between them and Celtic is apparent to everyone. So you’d be

looking to close that in the January transfer window.

 

“Rangers have to prove they are the best team outwith Celtic. And I think they’ll do well enough to finish second.

 

“They have to show through performances that they’re getting closer to Celtic. And with more investment they can put up a legitimate challenge.

 

“In Scotland, Rangers are still the only team that can do that with Celtic. But it does take a settling-in period – and that’s what Mark has this season.

 

“He has shown how he wants to play but he still needs to get a higher level of player in to achieve that.”

 

In term of their philosophy on the game, Smith and Warburton are at opposite ends of the scale. If the current Rangers boss is a perfectionist, the old one was a pragmatist.

 

Smith’s greatest sides could grind out results while Warburton freely admits that his Plan B is doing Plan A better.

 

Walter said: “Mark’s philosophy is different from mine – but so is Pep Guardiola’s. That doesn’t prevent anyone from being successful.

 

“As managers, we know we’ve got to win. Mark’s got his way of playing but he must turn that into a winning philosophy. That’s his job and it’s his choice how he does it. I was more pragmatic. Mark sees it another way.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-legend-walter-smith-warns-9290970

[RANGERRAB 3,397]

You will never hear the yahoos mention WS. That tells its own story. WS had the measure of them on & off the park.

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

Smith wasn't up to the task in Europe, with only two good seasons. With the resources he had he did extremely poorly.

 

I also wasn't a fan of his style of play at all, though we did end his final season playing some decent stuff.