Stars of football world gather to share final farewell to Rangers legend Walter Smith

Former players such as Ally McCoist and Andy Goram joined mourners as they met a legion of loyal fans who had come to pay their last respects to the gaffer.

In testament to the respect Smith held across the football world, Celtic bosses Gordon Strachan and Neil Lennon also attended as well as players from teams Smith had played for or managed including Everton and Dundee United.

The moving service was led by Reverend Dr Mark E. Johnstone of the cathedral who paid tribute to Smith. He said: “It’s good to see you here, but I’m sad to see you here. Today is about focusing on the good stuff.

“With Walter’s passing, there is a sense of in which we feel as if we lose a bit of our future. It won’t be the same here on in. We come here to celebrate and give thanks. This is the people’s cathedral and in a sense we are the people today who have gathered in this place to celebrate a life well lived.”

The congregation then sang psalm 23, the Lord is My Shepherd before being addressed by Smith’s son, Neil. He thanked those who supported the family following their father’s death. Neil said: “The fact we are saying a final farewell to my Dad in beautiful and historic Glasgow Cathedral says so much about the incredible life and what he achieved.

“He went to Ibrox with his Dad and his Grandad to watch Rangers play in the 50s and 60s. He could never have dreamt back then he would go on to manage that club twice, winning 21 trophies and also taking charge of the Scotland national team. But that’s what happened: he lived the dream.

“So many players who worked under Dad talk about his management skills being one of his attributes and there was one occasion in particular when the family got to see his compassionate and caring side when it came to his squad at Rangers.

READ MORE: Football stars Alex Ferguson and Ally McCoist arrive ahead of Walter Smith’s memorial service at Glasgow Cathedral

“25 years ago on Christmas Day in the mid-90s, Dad found out one of his players was alone in a Loch Lomond lodge as there was a game on Boxing Day. To my mum’s surprise, Dad decided to invite the player to our house for dinner. It was, of course, the one and only, Paul Gascoigne.

“Having Gazza present: it was unforgettable.”

Rangers star, James Tavernier then gave a reading of Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 14.

Ally McCoist and Sir Alex gave a joint commemoration while Stewart Robertson, Rangers managing director, gave a reading.

Ferguson said: “We played five-a-side against each other on Friday nights. Those games were worse than the actual rivalry. Our lives changed in 1986. I was the manager of Scotland after Jock Stein died. I appointed Walter as my assistant. A few months later I was with Manchester United. Without Walter it would never had been the same.”

“He grew up with his Grandad going up to Copland Road to see Rangers. He knew what Rangers meant. That expectation. I was only there for two and half years, but believe me, I carry that expectation throughout my life.”

Ally McCoist then recalled his memories of the gaffer at the service. Recalling a time when McCoist was Smith’s assistant manager at Rangers, he said: “My biggest job was, on the Friday before the game, he had to have an empire biscuit for the meeting at two o’clock. He loved an empire biscuit.”