This morning, Rangers confirmed the passing of Walter Smith following a period of illness.
The tributes to the man, an Ibrox icon were led by chairman Douglas Park who revealed that he had been in contact with him as recently as last week.
All across the football landscape, tributes have poured in for the man affectionately known simply as ‘Walter’. Not only from Rangers supporters, former players, and previous clubs that Smith served, but from rival clubs, people in public life and from all walks of society.
That was the measure of the man. Walter Smith was Rangers through and through, but he was also a very decent human being.
He commanded respect, transcended rivalries and made a profound impact amongst the otherwise tribal nature of football.
The famous saying is that ‘no man is bigger than the club’ but Walter Smith tested that theory, another is that you don’t or can’t grieve for people you didn’t personally know.
Whilst many thousands of Rangers fans dd not have a personal relationship with ‘the gaffer’, that man was largely responsible for so much joy and happiness in the lives of so, so many people.
It is as simple as that.
As Rangers broke the news earlier, an initial statement from the club was released.
With chairman Park leading the tributes, he stated:
“It is almost impossible to encapsulate what Walter meant to every one of us at Rangers.”
“He embodied everything that a Ranger should be. His character and leadership was second to none, and will live long in the memory of everyone he worked with during his two terms as first team manager.”
Impact
There will be calls for a permanent memorial to Walter Smith at Ibrox, to which the club will respond in due course.
For now, the most important thing is to pay respect to a great man who gave so much to the history of Rangers Football Club.
Be sad, shed a tear, think of his family, but also raise a glass, think of the joy, the glory the happy times and the many memories of Walter Smith and the impact that he made at the club.
He was a gentleman, a hero and will forever be a legend.
Our Absent Friend – Walter Smith 1948-2021