In 1986, Walter Smith left his assistant role at Dundee United to take up the same job at his boyhood club, Rangers. He later became manager, leading the club to six (and a half) of their nine-in-a-row league titles, though like a few other legends, he discovered 10 was out of reach. He managed Everton, then Scotland, where he left to return to more success at Rangers, including reaching the 2008 Uefa Cup Final.
As an opponent, he was uncompromising, ruthless, even. He managed to have a congenial nature and to be as hard as nails. His first period in charge of Rangers saw an era of no contest. Celtic finished second only twice during those nine seasons, Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs were often the nearest challengers, allowing Rangers space to prepare for Champions League football.
His second spell at Rangers concluded in 2011, having won three successive titles against different Celtic managers: Gordon Strachan, Tony Mowbray and Neil Lennon. He retired the same month that Craig Whyte bought the club from David Murray for £1, with the emerging EBT scandal scattered like confetti over every inch of the Ibrox and Charlotte Square.
Smith was ill advised to get involved in the scrap for Newco a year later, where he was briefly chairman in 2013 before resigning after three months.
For all the battles, my abiding memory of Walter Smith happened days after that Uefa Cup Final in 2008, watching him carry the Tommy Burns’ coffin from St Mary’s, Calton. Everything that had gone before seemed irrelevant. Later on, a Celtic supporting journalist, who was moving on from Scottish football, told me he received a call with best wishes from Smith. No one from Celtic did likewise. What little we really know of the people we cheer and jeer.
73 is no age, may he rest in peace.
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BANKIEBHOY1
Actually, I haven’t. I’ve just stopped bitching about it. 😊 I think SAINT STIVS and I are in the same boat. I get papped off regularly when I refresh the page, or read back. I have numerous adblockers, but some still get through. Today, blessedly, there are none, not even an Eddie Howe pop up video.
CORKCELT
BMCUPWP wrote a few weeks ago that he immediately identifies KevJ, and not just from the somewhat unique writing style! The URL/ISP is unique, and you would need to go to a lot of bother ( like using someone else’s computer ) to circumvent that. I don’t think the sad trolls that you very occasionally see on here have the stamina, determination or knowhow to do that.
Iniquitous…
Your tenacity and determination is an inspiration!
I salute your indefatigability.
HH
Condolences to all Walter Smith’s family
Never met the man but Bhoy did I suffer during his tenure
Usually managed to get the better of us although most of the time that was easy enough
however that was his era and he made the most of it
rip water
No disrespect intended Walter
Sleekit does what sleekit does I suppose
😂😂
With about 5 minutes to go until half-time in the Scottish Championship , not a single goal has been scored in any of the five games.
Callum get the bhoys up the morra.
I’d take 4 points going into the January break but defo think we will be closer.
It’s not really a Surprise when Celtic have 3 away games on the trot at the Time when tired legs are really kicking in. Just before we play them.
Bring it on.
Half-time; five games; no goals.
BANKIEBHOY1
Thank you! I read the blog every day. It’s like a drug. I have been on the site since its inception, first as a lurker, then fairly regular poster. I tend towards the mineshafter side of the spectrum, leaning more in that direction when It began to dawn on me that the Board and Lawwell were gulling us. I was one of Auldheid’s original postmen back in 2012, and have been supporting him as best I can ever since. He is the very essence of indefatigability, backed with the highest of ethical standards. To our detriment, none of our directors comes remotely close.
Iniquitous
Good mhan, I can totally see how you might hold that opinion!
Keep It Lit.
:)
HH
BANKIEBHOY1 on 26TH OCTOBER 2021 8:13 PM
Iniquitous…
Your tenacity and determination is an inspiration!
I salute your indefatigability.
HH
———-
seconded.
we exchanged some wee emails and our man is all that and then some, and has a great football background as a player.
cap doffed.
Still no comment on your post at 11:18 am today.
And unbelievably nobody else thinks it’s in poor taste either.
BANKIEBHOY1 on 26TH OCTOBER 2021 11:18 AM
Sad news indeed for the family of the former manager of
the fomer rangers.
Scottish football will mourn.
I’m sure the upcoming fixture against Aberdeen will be postponed as a mark of respect.
May He Rest In Peace.
HH.
JHB on 26TH OCTOBER 2021 6:02 PM
Walter Smith & Ally McCoist earned great respect from the Celtic family for the way that they conducted themselves at a very sad time for ‘us’……..
*Oh aye is that same mcsleekit that almost caused a riot after the replay in 2011 where he provoked Lenny who had stayed away from any of the incidents, in fact it was big Johann who had a word with the spittoon at half time in the tunnel after he had a go at our physiotherapist.
The same mcsleekit that came out of hunden laughing as his thugs, who were leaving at the end of the season anyway, got fines of £5k, £2.5k respectively, despite manhandling the referee, while he won his appeal. Meanwhile Lenny received a four match ban.
Also it should be noted that after the match naesurname refused to condemn his team, citing the red cards for whittaker and bougheraff as harsh.
BTW this board is a lot more benevolent than other Celtic sites, or even sheep ones.
Anyway, as my maternal used tae say,” if you can’t say anything nice about someone better not to say anything at all”.
So I’ll bite my tongue, wonder if Mr Murphy the linesman or Mixu Paatelainen are biting theirs.
Fairhill.hope yir holiday is going good.
I don’t see anything wrong with that by Bankiebhoy.
What/where is fault in it mate?
My first reaction was the game would be off too
(Not that its was on sky anyway-lets see if that changes?)
Anyway.enjoy yir break.
HH
Paul67 et al
Scottish football has lost a formidable man in Walter Smith. A man who did not suffer fools or sycophants gladly, as Chic Young found out to his cost. And got more out of Paul Gascoigne, despite his demons, than most could have. Played for Jim McLean and against Celtic as Jock achieved 9 in a row back in 1975. And was in charge at Rangers in key moments in their history. Forever linked with Tommy Burns, as opposing managers in the 1990s and later together as part of the Scotland set-up. Paid tribute to Tommy on his passing, first at Celtic Park, and then of course, in tandem with Danny McGrain, who he played against in the Scottish Cup final in 1975, at Tommy’s funeral, and alongside Ally McCoist in 2008. I trust Celtic FC will be well represented at his funeral. A certain class of Scotsman, a man worthy of respect.
Condolences to family and friends
RIP Walter Smith
My thoughts and prayers with you. May the wonderful Helen be forever in the Eternal Paradise.
Palestine
https://twitter.com/antearmann1967/status/1395447681326190592?t=VIfShgIKefxIyeK8TQ-GMg&s=19
HH
Tontine Tim on 26th October 2021 9:12 pm
Everyone knows whats goin’ on.
He MAsterminded a few wins because he was an excellent but a very defensive Manager. FAIR DOS – He Got the wins. Never ever can be for me.
If, as I expect, the Vaccine Passports to become permanent law, I’m not going to watch the Hoops again. I’ll still buy my Sons ST.
I am very annoyed. Truth be Told.
PETEC on 26TH OCTOBER 2021 9:32 PM
Tontine Tim on 26th October 2021 9:12 pm
If, as I expect, the Vaccine Passports to become permanent law, I’m not going to watch the Hoops again. I’ll still buy my Sons ST. I am very annoyed. Truth be Told.
*same thing is happening over here, punters scrambling for passports as they urnae going anywhere now, sports arenas, cinemas, bars, restaurant etc but most importantly nae holidays either and its the Provincial Government in each province calling the shots. We have an election by next June at the latest so that’s a factor tae.
tontine tim
Just out of curiousity were you actually at the Scottish Cup replay in March 2011?
Tontine
I must admit I struggle with the outpouring today.
I met him plenty and he knew what I was. He didn’t like me being in their midst as their biggest sponsor back then.
He played and won with a stacked deck of that there is no doubt. He gave the establishment and Murray all they wanted with that stacked deck.
Tontine Tim,
I’m very Confident Ange will win @ least 2 trophies this Season, it might even be the New European wan, thats wan.
Sombre on the blog today and rightly so.
I’m still shocked at this morning’s news. I didn’t even know Walter Smith was ill.
News of the death of someone you’ve encountered or shared something with (even second handedly or incidentally) tends to make one pause and reflect.
Which is a good thing.
And seeing someone in a different light posthumously (them not you) isn’t hypocrisy or flim-flam.
Just the product of that reflection.
I didn’t actually like the fella too much when he was alive.
Probably for 2 main reasons ….
1. He often beat us
2. He firmly nailed his colours to a mast that wasn’t the same mast I firmly nailed mine to
Now he has gone I find myself admiring him for the first and totally accepting him for the second.
The city’s grief for Tommy was real and will be equally for Walter.
And if sad passings like this can make us all think and, even just for a few days, heal?
That’s all the legacy a human being needs.
Rest in Peace, Walter
As our supporters bus parked behind the Jock Stein stand at 2pm on Saturday, we noticed barriers set-up to facilitate the inspection of vaccine passports.
Two supporters didn’t have a passport. No problem, said a third supporter who proceeded to forward a copy of his own passport to their mobile phones.
As we went through the check, all we had to do was show our QR code to the steward. There was no scanning of any description. The other three supporters showed three copies of the same QR code, obviously indecipherable to the naked eye.
It’s all a bit of a shambles really.
AT
I’m guessing we won’t hear anything else, but I’ll keep an eye out.
HH
Sub on last 15 for Southampton after a year out.Misses 2 big chances to win it,then balloons his penalty shoot out kick over the bar.Brilliant save from big Fraser,but not enough.
If we make another Final I’m Banned frae going….Likely.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN on 26TH OCTOBER 2021 9:52 PM
You think posting that publicly a smart idea…?
.So be it.
I’d never take am/PM experiYOOmadvACCINNE?
HIBS are HURTING – CELTIC need to be right on it to beat a very DETERMINED team.
Toughest game of the Season.
Ange’s Bhoys will Win.
WE are Gonnae win this.
Pete, What is your issue against getting vaccinated, there is no conspiracy,
The World has been hit with an extremely dangerous Virus, it has happened before and it will happen again.
If you are travelling to various Locations where dangerous diseases are prevalent you get vaccinated.
Vaccines are a major tool in fighting diseases.
Be sensible mhan, protect yourself, protect your friends & fellow citizens and keep going to watch the Celtic.
CC – You ok with 12-15 year olds getting vaccinated?
What about 5-12 year olds in the future?
And Pitty the even Younger.
Check out the Yellow Cards.
RIP Walter Smith, you came across as a man of decency and worthy of respect, may perpetual light shine upon you.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting
Pete, All my grandkids over the age of 12 are vaccinated, every adult in family vaccinated. About 90% of adult Irish Population vaccinated,
I haven’t read or heard of any deaths from vaccination in Ireland, I do accept that there have been some WorldWide but the risk is minimaL 1 or 2 in a 100,000.
The risk of death through not taking the Vaccine is massively greater.
It isnae easy to navigate to be Honest.
Hmmmmmm.