Smith - Murray was mint

08 May 2011 08:30

Rangers manager Walter Smith has told new owner Craig Whyte he has a hard act to follow now he has taken over Sir David Murray's shareholding in the Scottish champions.

The Scots tycoon completed his takeover of the club on Friday night, bringing to an end Murray's association of more than 22 years with Rangers. Smith has worked under Murray's ownership in two spells at the Ibrox helm and paid tribute to the outgoing owner's "excellent" period at Rangers.

He said: "When you have been an owner or manager here, people will always have their opinions of you - good, bad or indifferent. The measure of success is how the team did and that's what a football club does and Sir David has been one of the most successful owners in British football."

He added: "So whoever follows him has a hard act to follow in that respect.

"I think if you are a Rangers supporter, you've got to say that Sir David Murray has been excellent for Rangers in the period of time that he's owned the club."

Asked whether Whyte's buy-out will be good for Rangers, Smith replied: "I hope so."

As far as Smith is concerned, his main focus remains on delivering a third successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League title after Rangers stretched their lead at the summit to four points with a 4-0 win over Hearts.

Of the takeover, he said: "We're glad it's settled. It seems since Christmas-time that we have had that situation cropping up. That's it settled now and everyone can get on with it.

"For everybody on the footballing side, we've just got to make sure our concentration is on the next two games. Then the club will effectively go into new hands and go on from there."

Source: PA