McDowall: Walter Smith return would lift Rangers

KENNY McDOWALL believes the return of Walter Smith as manager would be guaranteed to provide Rangers with a significant boost for the remainder of the Championship promotion campaign.
Walter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John DevlinWalter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John Devlin
Walter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John Devlin

Speculation has intensified over a potential third spell in the Ibrox hot seat for Smith after a weekend interview in which he refused to rule himself out of contention for the role under the new boardroom regime headed by Dave King.

Smith is close friends with Douglas Park, one of the new directors at Rangers, and was part of a consortium with the motoring tycoon which failed in a bid to prevent Charles Green’s purchase of the club in 2012. He later became chairman at Green’s invitation, but resigned after just three months.

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Speaking two months ago, Smith discounted the possibility of going back on to the Rangers board even if King and Park were successful in their bids to oust the incumbent regime. In the wake of last Friday’s general meeting of shareholders, which saw King take control and appoint Park as a director, Smith has now confirmed his willingness to provide assistance and advice in the rebuilding of the club.

Walter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John DevlinWalter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John Devlin
Walter Smith refused to rule out a return under new regime. Picture: John Devlin

“I have said to them that I would do anything I could to help them,” said the 67-year-old. “I don’t know whether that [becoming manager] is stretching it a little bit. You never rule anything out. But I am not looking for it in any way, shape or form.”

Current caretaker manager McDowall was initially recruited by Rangers as first team coach in January 2007 when Smith returned for his second spell in charge. It proved a highly successful period, including three consecutive SPL title wins and a Uefa Cup final appearance, before Smith left and handed over the reins to Ally McCoist in 2011.

Rangers have been rendered almost unrecognisable since then, with insolvency and boardroom chaos drastically diminishing the club’s standing on and off the pitch.

“Walter brought me here and we had a fantastic time but there have been one or two wee changes since then,” McDowall reflected ruefully. “He might just notice that when he comes in!

“That’s Walter’s decision. It’s not for me to decide. It’s for Walter to discuss with the board, if that’s the case. It’s nothing to do with me at all.

“But Walter Smith going anywhere would absolutely give the place a lift. He is a great man and has done so much in the game. Why would you not [ask him], at the end of the day? But, as I say, it’s not my call.

“We had a very successful time when he was here but times are different. It’s been a tough, tough time we’ve had since he left. Ally McCoist did a fantastic job without getting a whole lot of credit. But that will come eventually.

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“I honestly don’t know [if Dave King will ask the question of Walter Smith]. Every day, there is someone else being quoted – Walter, Felix Magath, Billy Davies, Stuart McCall, Terry Butcher. All of those guys are out there and it’s the board’s right to talk to whoever they want. We could sit here and second guess all day, but it will be their call.”

With McCoist still on “gardening leave” after tendering his resignation in December, McDowall is also serving his 12-month notice period at the club. While he awaits clarification on how the new board wish to deal with his situation, McDowall insists speculation over the identity of his successor is of no concern to him.

He is seeking to keep his focus on Rangers’ stuttering form in the Championship. Ahead of tonight’s match against Queen of the South at Ibrox, they are three points behind second-placed Hibs with two games in hand.

“It doesn’t really affect me, because talk about replacing me has been there since I took the job as caretaker manager,” added McDowall. I’m here and ready to meet the new board whenever they want to meet me. I’ve got to focus on the game on Tuesday night, getting three points and keeping us in the hunt. We’ll see what the rest of the week has in store for me.

“I don’t have an opinion on the credentials a new manager needs, because I don’t think it’s my place. The board have worked hard to get themselves in control and it is only fair that it is their call. I’m sure there are people they can talk to who can help them.

“It’s a massive job for whoever gets it, there is no disguising that. If there is one good thing, if you like, it’s that it is starting again with a blank canvas in terms of building the team, the infrastructure and the board.

“So whoever it is, when he does come in he will get to build his team. He will get the backing of the board and the supporters are all back too. As fantastic as they have been to us, they will get right behind the new guy. Things are looking great for the club now.

“Rangers is the most important thing here. The papers are full every day with who is going to be the next guy in, so there is a demand to replace me.

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“The most important thing is that the club does the right thing for the club. If that is replacing me now to get a reaction, then so be it.

“The most important thing is that Rangers get to the play-offs and get to the Premiership.”

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