Leadership, integrity, respect, quality – just some of the qualities of the late, great Walter Smith.
The same could be said for Steven Gerrard as a player and now the same defining features are blossoming in his continuing journey as a manager.
Gerrard is no stranger to moments of loss and tragedy in football – he is well versed in such difficulties from his upbringing at Liverpool, including a family connection to the Hillsborough disaster.
Death is part of life and it hits hard when we lose someone who really matters to us.
We can only imagine the difficulty of the Smith family at present who have lost a husband, a dad and a grandfather but hopefully they can take comfort, as well as his close friends, in the fact that Walter Smith mattered so much, to so many people who never knew him on a personal level.
Instead, his monumental impact at Rangers FC gave so much joy and happiness to so many people and the man is rightly, regarded as a legend.
He impressed and impacted on those who got close to him including many individuals at Ibrox.
One of those people just happens to be Steven Gerrard – the current Rangers boss has spoken previously as well as in the aftermath of Smith’s passing as to how much he had helped him, offered counsel and support, as well as being a pillar of strength for the incumbent gaffer.
Gerrard showed leadership of his own in speaking to Rangers TV yesterday, the effects of Walter’s passing was clear to see.
A normally calm and collected, slick media performer like Gerrard was reduced to raw human emotion like the rest of us, it showed what the great man meant to him and it was very much appreciated.
A friend remarked yesterday that strangely Gerrard can still be viewed as an ‘outsider’, such is his own gravitas and legendary standing amongst Liverpool supporters for what he achieved at Anfield.
With the culmination of the title success last season, his Rangers journey so far and this most recent example yesterday, there is no doubt that Steven Gerrard is also ‘one of us’.
Liverpool first and last but there is no doubt Rangers is under his skin as well.
Thank You to the manager for his continued leadership.
Steven Gerrard speaks on the loss of our former manager, chairman and club legend, Walter Smith. pic.twitter.com/zKY7wwTf6F
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) October 26, 2021
“Walter was an incredible leader, a very successful manager here at Rangers. He epitomised everything that this club stands for.
“His DNA is all over the club and it is very sad news.
“He has been right behind me since day one. I have had many lunches, dinners, coffees, chats and private times with him in my office.
“He is going to be a very big loss to a lot of people. He is decorated all over the club and he will be forever because he gave many, many years to the football club.
“He loved the club, he was honest and genuine. He has made me a better person.”