IN THE pantheon of great Rangers managers, Walter Smith was one of the very best.

Smith, who has died at the age of 73, is the second most successful boss in the history of the Govan club, behind only Bill Struth, and will forever be held in as high a regard by those of a light blue persuasion.

Smith is primarily associated with the Ibrox outfit, where he enjoyed huge success during two spells in charge, most notably leading the club for the bulk of the nine-in-a row era from 1989 to 1997 and later guiding them to the 2008 Uefa Cup final.