19 Walter Smith

Walter Smith is the second most successful manager in the history of Glasgow Rangers. As a player, he made over 250 senior appearances in a chequered career and was notable for having scored more own goals than true goals. As a manager, he began as the assistant manager to Graeme Souness and followed him as Rangers manager, guiding Rangers to the title in every season he was manager during his first spell at the club except for his final season, when Celtic won the league. He moved to Everton and was largely unsuccessful as so many managers have been in trying to bring the glory days back to the club. His period was marred by unrealistic expectations from fans and the board. A short period as assistant manager to Alex Ferguson followed before Smith became Scotland manager. As Scotland manager, Smith got the best out of a very mediocre group of players, guiding them briefly to the top of the world cup qualifying group and building confidence and consistency. His excellent spell as Scotland manager led to Rangers approaching him to return as manager. In his first season back in charge, he appeared on course to win the league, Scottish cup, league cup and UEFA cup at one point but, in the event, they lost in the UEFA cup final and also lost the league to Celtic but did manager to win the league cup and Scottish cup. In his second season, Smith won both the league championship (his 8th as Rangers manager) and the Scottish cup double. This cements him as a true legend of the game. More recently, he announced he would be happy to manage Rangers without a contract, such is his love for the club and such are Rangers' financial problems. His love of the club only adds to the admiration supporters feel for him. A major European trophy would surely see him shoot up the list, though this seems unlikely in view of the uncompetitive nature of the Scottish league presently.

British league champions: 8
Foreign league champions: 0
European cup: 0