Rangers fans have taken to Twitter to react after hearing what Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday, at the memorial service for Walter Smith.
What’s the story?
Well, Ferguson was speaking about the time Smith stole Archie Knox from him, who worked as the Scot’s assistant at Aberdeen and Manchester United.
The 79-year-old said: “Walter knew Rangers. It was a great appointment, it was the right appointment. Unfortunately for me, he went and stole my bloody assistant manager!
“We were in the League Cup final, and I got the phone call. I told Walter I’d get him a couple of tickets, the phone goes and I’m thinking ‘that’s him wanting the tickets.’ That dulcet tone was there. He says ‘I’ve offered Archie the job’. I said ‘Jesus Christ Walter.’ I’m sorry – I think I’m allowed a swear word in the circumstances.”
Clearly, Ferguson was so engrossed in his story about Smith, that he completely forgot to mind his language in a church!
Nevertheless, it just goes to show how fondly he remembers the iconic Smith, who was awarded an OBE for his services to football.
Understandably, the Rangers fans loved Ferguson’s comments.
Will there be another like Walter Smith?
The short answer is no.
Smith won ten league titles for Rangers across two spells at Ibrox, and also led them to the UEFA Cup final in 2008.
He was also a seven-time Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year winner – there have been few better coaches in football.
Smith was a great of the game, and the respect others had for him was there for all to see at his memorial service, as some football legends paid their tributes.
He will be dearly missed by everyone in the football world, to say the very least.
In this day and age, with little loyalty in football and sackings far from unusual, we highly doubt we’ll see another legacy like Smith’s.
For now, let’s see what the Rangers fans on Twitter have been saying about Ferguson’s comments at Smith’s memorial service…
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