Tributes to Rangers legend Walter Smith as football mourns his passing

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The footballing community from across the world has been coming together as tributes flood in honouring Rangers legend Walter Smith following his passing.

Rangers announced that the legendary former Ibrox gaffer had passed away at 73 and the news has rocked an adoring Ibrox support.

The tributes have been flooding in for Rangers legend Walter Smith. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Most famous for his two spells in charge of the Gers, where Walter won 21 trophies and guided the club to a UEFA Cup Final, Smith’s imprint in football transcends Ibrox.

Walter is a former Dundee United player and was part of Jim McLean’s legendary title-winning backroom staff who almost guided the Arabs to a European Cup Final.

Smith also managed Everton Football Club during a period of financial upheaval and helped them retain Premier League status in some of their most difficult years.

A close friend of Sir Alex Ferguson’s, Smith also spent time as Fergie’s assistant at Man Utd whilst his spell with Scotland helped unite a fractured fanbase alongside Ally McCoist and Celtic legend Tommy Burns.

The tributes have been pouring in from across football and we’ll do our best to compile some of them here.

Tributes aplenty to great man and legendary Rangers manager Walter Smith

Starting with Super Ally McCoist, Rangers’ all-time top goalscorer gave an emotional tribute on TalkSPORT this morning.

Sir Alex Ferguson would then describe Smith a “special person” in a message sent out via the official Manchester United club channels.

Former Scotland striker James McFadden also paid tribute to Walter Smith who he claimed via Sky Sports is “above the term legend”.

Everton Football Club would also pay tribute to Walter Smith they praised “a man held in high regard by all his players”.

Former Rangers manager Mark Waburton also thanked Smith for always being available for support during his tenure at Ibrox.

Old Firm rivals Celtic also sent their “deepest sympathies” following the passing of the Rangers legend, with Smith a man who transcended the Old Firm rivalry.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also described Smith as a “true football great” and paid tribute to the former Rangers and Scotland boss.

Former Rangers striker Derek Johnstone called on the club to build a statue of Smith in honour of the ex-Gers manager’s achievements at Ibrox.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola – who had a close relationship with Smith – described the ex-Gers gaffer as a “very special man”.

Former Ibrox winger DaMarcus Beasley played under Smith at Rangers and the USA legend paid tribute to Walter for taking him to Ibrox.

Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell thanked Smith for taking him to Everton and described him as “a great man”.

Nacho Novo – who scored that legendary goal in Florence to send us to the UEFA Cup Final – said Smith was “like a father” to him and said his passing is “hard to take” on Sky Sports.

Rangers legend Paul Gascoigne said he was “extremely upset” to hear of Walter’s passing and described the Gers boss as a “father figure”.

Current Rangers star Steven Davis also paid tribute to Walter Smith and sent his condolences to the manager’s family.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was also visibly upset when he fronted the cameras after Smith’s passing and paid tribute to the Ibrox legend’s legacy as the club’s staff conducted a minute’s silence.

These are just a drop in the ocean of tributes coming out about not only a legendary Rangers manager but a legendary football man, friend, and father figure to so many.

Rangers are preparing to play Aberdeen at Ibrox this week on what promises to be an emotional night for supporters of the club as they remember an Ibrox hero.

Fans have been calling for Gers Gaffer Smith to be recognised via way of a tribute which has only ever been afforded two men in the past.