THERE has been a raft of heartfelt tributes paid to Walter Smith since Rangers announced their legendary manager had passed away aged 73 following a long illness early on Tuesday morning.

Former players, old friends and ordinary fans have all expressed their sadness at the terrible news, passed on their condolences to his family and spoken emotionally of what Smith had meant to them.   

Flowers, scarves, flags and wreaths – including one laid by the chairman, interim chief executive and ex-captain of Celtic today – have been placed at the iconic cast iron gates between the Bill Struth Main Stand and the Broomloan Road at Ibrox.

Yet, the most fitting way to celebrate the life of a man who spent the vast majority of his remarkable and lengthy career in the dugout winning games, landing leagues and lifting trophies was always going to come after kick-off in the cinch Premiership match against Aberdeen tonight.

James Tavernier and his team mates produced, after falling two goals behind in the opening 20 minutes, a battling performance of which Smith would have been proud and had drawn level by the end of the encounter.

But they were unable to deliver the triumph which the 49,760-strong crowd craved.

It was, however, a night when sporting matters seemed trivial and the pain of a costly draw felt insignificant.  

The heavens opened yesterday evening just as supporters were preparing to travel to Govan for the match. But the torrential rain and terrible travelling conditions were never going to deter the Light Blue legions from flocking to their spiritual home to pay their respects to a man who had given them so many joyous moments over the decades.

They came in their cars, they travelled on the underground, they crammed into packed buses and they filled every available seat in the stadium long before the match was scheduled to get underway.

Banners were hung over the advertising hoardings around the ground. Mr Rangers: Walter Smith’s Blue and White Army. Thanks for the Memories Walter. Absent Friends: In Our Hearts Forever.   

When Steven Gerrard emerged from the tunnel and took his place in the technical area a giant Tifo display of a black Rangers crest was unfurled in the bottom half of the Copland Road Stand. It read Walter Smith 1948 - 2021 and For Deeds Done And Glories Won, Thank You Walter

There were also 21 glittering silver trophies – the boyhood fan from Carmyle in the East End of Glasgow had won 10 Scottish titles, five Scottish Cups and six League Cups during his two spells in charge – strung out over the heads of the tearful spectators.

Liverpool and England legend Gerrard is in his first managerial role and had come to consider Smith as a confidante and mentor because of the sage advice and constant encouragement he had received from his predecessor since moving to Glasgow three years ago.

This has been as difficult a time for him as anyone. He stood shoulder to shoulder with his coaching team and backroom staff on the touchline and looked deep in thought during a poignant and impeccably observed minute’s silence.

When referee John Beaton blew the whistle to get proceedings underway, though, the night air was filled with chants of “Walter Smith’s Blue and White Army”.  

It was fitting that Rangers should say farewell to an individual whose achievements are without equal in the modern Scottish game during a meeting with Aberdeen.

He enjoyed one of his sweetest and earliest triumphs against the Pittodrie club just four games after succeeding Graeme Souness – it was, at the time, a surprising and not universally welcomed appointment – back in 1991.

A 2-0 triumph was recorded on the final day thanks to a Mark Hateley double and the Premier Division won to justify his promotion. It was to be the first of many.  

Rangers are attempting to follow up their momentous Premiership success last season – their first since Smith bowed out of football 10 years earlier - with a second consecutive league success. A place in the Champions League group stages will be their reward if they do.

But Gerrard’s charges are not, despite being on top of the table, finding it easy. Their form has fluctuated. They were far from their best as first Christian Ramirez and then Scott Brown headed beyond Jon McLaughlin.

Smith worked with a few exceptional strikers, not least Ally McCoist and Hateley, in his time at Rangers. He would have relished having a mercurial talent like Alfredo Morelos in his squad.

The little Colombian got on the end of a Tavernier free-kick and headed beyond Joe Lewis to get Rangers back into the game.  

There was a round of applause for Smith in the 73rd minute and a huge roar soon after when Tavernier converted the penalty that substitute Fashion Sakala had won. But there was not a win for the home support to cheer. 

Steven Gerrard will have to draw on all of the words of wisdom Walter Smth gave him in the months ahead.