Football greats celebrate Walter Smith’s life at Glasgow Cathedral

Iconic figures from the world of Scottish football are attending memorial service for Smith following his death last month.

Iconic figures from the world of Scottish football have attended a memorial service for late Rangers manager Walter Smith at Glasgow Cathedral.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Ally McCoist and Duncan Ferguson are among those paying their respects and celebrating the life of the former Ibrox boss, who died last month at the age of 73.

Among the former Rangers players in attendance were Derek McInnes, Andy Goram, Charlie Miller, Kris Boyd, Trevor Steven, Nigel Spackman, Richard Gough, Sasa Papac, Stuart McCall, Nikica Jelavic, Kenny Miller, Gordon Durie, Lee McCulloch, Neil Alexander, Kevin Thomson, Steven Pressley, Charlie Adam, Andy Gray and Mark Hateley.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Richard Gough arriving at Glasgow Cathedral.STV News

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster and former Scotland managers Craig Brown and Gordon Strachan also arrived at the cathedral in Glasgow’s east end, along with members of the current squad at Ibrox.

A party representing Celtic included former managers Davie Hay and Neil Lennon alongside former skipper Roy Aitken and present and recent chief executives Michael Nicholson and Peter Lawwell.

Meanwhile, a contingent from Dundee United, where Smith spent most of his playing days and began his coaching career, included Paul Hegarty, Maurice Malpas and Hamish McAlpine. Former United and Rangers striker Davie Dodds was also present.

Other football personalities included former Chelsea players Mark Hughes and Frank Lampard, former Leeds and Scotland player Eddie Gray, former Everton and Scotland left-back Gary Naysmith, and Arbroath manager Dick Campbell, Smith’s long-term friend.

Current managers from the league included Robbie Neilson of Hearts and Motherwell’s Graham Alexander, both of whom played under Smith for Scotland.

The entire service is available to watch below, courtesy of Rangers TV.

Earlier this month, fans lined the streets around Ibrox to pay their respects to Smith as his funeral cortege made its way through Govan before a private family service.

As manager of Rangers over two spells, Smith won 21 major honours – ten league titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups – as well as guiding his side to the UEFA Cup final in 2008.

The former Dundee United and Dumbarton player made his name in coaching under Jim McLean at Tannadice, helping the previously unfancied club to the 1983 Scottish league title and the European Cup semi-finals the following year.

Former Scotland striker Duncan Ferguson and Glasgow businessman James Mortimer arriving at Glasgow Cathedral.SNS Group

After assisting Sir Alex during Scotland’s 1986 World Cup campaign in Mexico, Smith accepted an invitation from Graeme Souness to perform the same role at Ibrox.

He succeeded Souness in April 1991 and went on to secure a record-equalling nine consecutive titles before leaving in 1998 and joining Everton.

After another spell as Ferguson’s assistant with Manchester United, where he won the FA Cup, Smith served as Scotland manager during 2005 and 2006 before returning to Rangers, where he won another three successive titles.

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