Beneath a low winter sun on the south side of Glasgow as many as 6,000 mourners gathered outside Ibrox to pay their last respects to Walter Smith, that giant among Rangers managers, who died last week at the age of 73.
Scarves and flowers were already strewn around the stadium as the three-car cortège bearing Smith’s coffin, his wife, children and grandchildren came into view and began to proceed slowly down Edmiston Drive.
Very noticeable among the mourners were the number of women present, wrapped in Rangers scarves, who had come to pay their respects.
Fans who had been standing solemnly and patiently for up to 30 minutes broke into applause as the cortège passed them for one final time. It then drew to a halt for three minutes outside the main entrance of Ibrox, the marbled threshold over which Smith had stepped so many times, where his family were able to reflect on the great office their father, husband and grandfather had held over the years.
Some older Rangers fans would have preferred a respectful silence during the procession, but times change, and applause echoed against Ibrox’s famous redbrick facade.
Advertisement
There was a brief outbreak of Walter Smith’s Blue and White Army in song but it quickly subsided as mourners craned their necks from the throngs to catch a glimpse of their departed manager.
Among the flowers, scarves and strips that were laid out around the stadium were some very telling tributes to this deceased Rangers legend. One read: “Walter. Thanks for the memories. You were — and always will be — Simply The Best.” Another said: “The Boss. Forever in our hearts. RIP and thank you.” A number of Celtic strips were laid out side by side with those of their great rivals — one Celtic fan wrote: “RIP Walter. One of the few men to unite this city.”
One further tribute said: “Such a great ambassador for our club. Walter, you will never be forgotten.”
As the cortège finished its route and disappeared out of sight to its private funeral, the crowd slowly dispersed. Fans embraced before going their separate ways, vowing to see each other “at the match”.
He was, as yesterday confirmed again, one of the towering figures of the Rangers story. Like everyone in football, Walter Smith had his tough times, and sometimes his severe critics — it is the fate of football managers — but his character always seemed to shine through, and Rangers supporters liked what they saw, as did many supporters of other clubs.
Advertisement
By 4pm yesterday, within an hour of the cortege passing, Ibrox was becalmed again. The long queues of departing cars were gone, with maybe 100 or so fans loitering, some not wanting to leave. It was as if they felt this was their last day in the company of Walter Smith, and they didn’t want it to end.
