ALLY McCOIST has called for the entire Ibrox area to be renamed “Smithsville” in honour of Rangers legend Walter Smith who passed away during the week at the age of 73.
The iconic striker, who played under the guidance of the manager and also worked as his assistant, has led the tributes to his close friend.
McCoist, speaking on BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra, said: “It’s still hard to take in, it’s heartbreaking.
“If we are all feeling this way it’s hard to imagine what Ethel and the boys are feeling like. It’s them who my immediate thoughts are with.
“A great family man was the gaffer, but he was so much to so many people, myself included.
SILVER SMITH…Walter beams as he celebrates one of his 21 honours as Rangers boss.
“I went through the range. He was my coach, my assistant coach, my manager. I worked under him at the national team and at Rangers.
“I said at the time he was like my second father, and he was like my second father, and then he turned into one of my best mates.
“I went through 40 years of my life with him and I was blessed to spend some incredible times with him in football and away from football.”
There has already been support for Ibrox Stadium to be renamed after their former boss while fans have also urged the club to erect a statue as a tribute to Smith who won 21 honours during his days in charge over two stints.
BT Sport’s presented Darrell Currie suggested that a stand could be renamed in memory of the manager who also had spells at Scotland and Everton.
McCoist replied: “I’d name the district after him.
“I would change Ibrox, the area, to Smithsville. That is what I would do.
“It starts here, it has to be changed to Smithsville.”
FAREWELL, OLD FRIEND: SIR ALEX LEADS WALTER SMITH TRIBUTES
