Rangers fans get glimpse of inspiring Walter Smith statue stance as Ibrox readies tribute
05/23/2024 08:45 AM
Rangers fans will gather in numbers this weekend as the club prepare to unveil a new statue of legendary former manager Walter Smith.
The Ibrox club announced a few weeks ago that the special statue would be unveiled ahead of the Scottish Cup Final.
This week, Rangers have now confirmed that the Walter Smith statue will be unveiled for the first time on Saturday at 12pm with fans welcome at the momentous occasion.
One of the club's greatest ever figures, there is quite simply no-one at Ibrox more befitting of a statue in the modern era than the one and only Walter Smith.
And ahead of the unveiling, Rangers fans have gotten a glimpse of the pose the statue is set to take whilst the covered bronze replica is moved into position at the stadium.
Walter Smith statue moved into position
Naturally, the event to unveil the Walter Smith statue brings with it plenty of intrigue and Rangers fans are excited to see what will be a permanent tribute to the great man outside Ibrox.
A boyhood bluenose who spent a lifetime supporting the club he loved, the statue will stand as an eternal monument to one of Rangers' greatest heroes.
Now, Rangers fans have got a glimpse at the arms raised stance the Walter Smith statue is set to take as it is placed into position outside of Ibrox Stadium.
The images will only serve to build the excitement around the unveiling of the statue and we expect Rangers fans from all over the world to come and visit the bronze memorial to Walter Smith as the years pass by.
Even before this weekend, Rangers fans will be taking a turn by Ibrox to pay their respects before going to Hampden for the Scottish Cup Final.
Rangers fans to gather at Ibrox
Rangers have announced plans to unveil the statue of Walter Smith ahead of the weekend's Old Firm Scottish Cup Final clash with Celtic.
The club will hope that the current crop can channel the spirit of the legendary former 9IAR assistant and manager, whose record at Rangers remains unmatched in modern terms.
The bronze statue has been designed by Douglas Jennings, whose portfolio includes a statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in London and, in a football context, Jack Charlton and George Cohen.
Walter Smith's family will be in attendance at the special event with a commemorative programme available for purchase and all the proceeds going to the Rangers Charity Foundation.
Club chairman John Bennett has paid tribute to the great man in a special statement ahead of the statue's unveiling.
"It is a poignant moment in the history of this great football club to unveil a statue of our legendary former manager, Walter Smith," said Bennett.
"The outpouring of tributes which arrived from near and far following his passing two-and-a-half-years ago speaks to Walter's stature as both a human being and custodian of our historic football club, and there is no Ranger more deserving in the modern era of being honoured in bronze.
"I would like to place on record our thanks as a club to the artist and sculptor, Douglas Jennings, as well as internal and external stakeholders who have helped facilitate the process since the commissioning of the statue in October 2022.
"I'm sure the day of the unveiling will be one full of emotion for Walter's wife, Ethel, his two sons, Neil and Steven, and the rest of the family.
"The work consolidates the significance of the great man and the place he occupies in the storied history of Rangers Football Club."
Smith won 21 major honours across two spells as Rangers manager, including 10 league titles, five Scottish Cups, and six League Cups.
Also reaching the 2008 UEFA Cup Final with the club, Walter Smith sadly passed away at the age of 73 in October 2021 with the statue set to be a fitting tribute to a truly great Ranger.
