Smith keen to leave winning legacy

28 April 2011 07:00

Walter Smith wants to remembered as a winner when he leaves Rangers at the end of the season.

The 63-year-old Ibrox boss is in his second spell at the Govan club and when he stands down in the summer he will be replaced by his assistant Ally McCoist. Smith helped Rangers to equal Celtic's nine successive title wins when he took over as boss from Graeme Souness in 1991, having been the number two at Ibrox for the previous five years.

And entering the final weeks of his second period as manager, which began in January 2007, the Light Blues still have a chance of retaining their SPL title to add to the Co-operative Insurance Cup which was won in March against Celtic at Hampden. "My legacy is for other people to judge but I would hope that people would look upon me as someone who was able to win while I was in the job," Smith told ClubTV.

"Under Alistair I hope we can continue the success we have had and I'm sure every Rangers supporter will hope so."

Smith admits taking over as manager of the club he supported as a boy remains a highlight.

"First and foremost being asked to be the manager was the biggest accolade," he said.

"Sir David Murray could have had the choice of any manager in Britain at the time.

"But when you take over you don't envisage that you will win the next six championships in a row.

"I got a quick opportunity to win one, so that got me off to a good start on a personal basis.

"But to win the next six in a row was not something I thought about."

Source: PA