Tributes paid to Rangers legend Walter Smith in House of Commons

MPs have paid tribute to Walter Smith in Parliament as they praised his contribution to Scottish football.

The former Rangers, Everton and Scotland manager passed away last month at the age of 73.

An adjournment debate was brought forward by the SNP’s Brendan O’Hara, with MPs recognising the legacy of Smith, as well as remembering Bertie Auld, who died on Sunday.

Opening the debate, O’Hara, a Celtic fan, told MPs: “Walter Smith’s career hasn’t been a source of great personal joy and happiness for me. Indeed, far from it.

“Save a brief period as manager of Scotland, Walter’s career was a cause of great personal angst and unhappiness for me as his team all too regularly wiped the floor with mine.”

He added: “Regardless of where we are in our football allegiance, what we can all agree upon, whether through tears of joy or tears of sorrow, that Walter Smith enjoyed a remarkable managerial career and one which is up there with the very best that Scotland has ever produced.”

Walter Smith passed away at the age of 73.

O’Hara, who spoke of his experience of working with Smith on a documentary for STV, said he was a “thoroughly decent and honourable man”.

He told MPs: “Walter Smith had a remarkable managerial career, one which will live long in the memory.

“But perhaps more importantly, Walter Smith will be remembered as being a thoroughly decent and honourable man.

“A man who despite proudly wearing his Rangers colours, managed to cut across the maelstrom of football rivalry in Glasgow and is a hugely respected figure on the green half of the city too.”

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross praised the decency of Smith and Auld “on and off the pitch”.

The MP for Moray said: “Sometimes we use the word legend too much, but both were legends of the game.

“But probably what made them different from just any other player was their decency both on and off the pitch and I think that’s something we can remember as their families mourn both of them at this time.”