Ally McCoist on heartbreaking moment live on air when he got call to tell him Rangers legend Walter Smith had died

ALLY McCOIST has told of his heartache at the passing of Scotland and Rangers legend Walter Smith.

McCoist, 62, worked with Smith during stints with the national side and a return to their beloved Ibrox.

The much-loved Smith died after a battle with cancer in 2021 leaving his family and friends devastated.

TV host McCoist has revealed how he received the news his former mentor had passed away aged 73.

Detailing the moment in his new book, Dear Scotland: On the road with the Tartan Army, he said moments of football joy had turned to worry after Smith confided his illness with him.

He said: “That joy turned to deep concern when some years later, Walter sat me down for a chat and told me he had cancer.

“As usual, he was worried about the people he was telling, remaining upbeat and keeping that sense of humour, and as the months passed – with the operation seemingly a success – we hoped that he had rid himself of it.

“But the cancer came back, and in the autumn of 2021, we received the news that he had died.”

McCoist told how a phone call from Smith’s son Steven had broken the dreaded news of his friend’s passing.

He said: “I was working at TALKSPORT, doing the breakfast show, when I saw I had a missed call from Steven, Walter’s son. I knew what was coming.

“I’d been to the hospital and at the house to see him, and so knowing how unwell he was, I took myself away to make the call back.

“Silence. It is hard to know what to say, but knowing just how much Walter adored his wife Ethel, his kids and his grandkids, and the severe grief they were now going through, my thoughts were immediately with them.

“Neil and Steven are two chips off the old block, the best company like their father, and I am so pleased to call the whole family friends.

“In the spring of 2024, Rangers unveiled a statue of Walter Smith. It depicts the man beautifully, and is the perfect tribute to all that he gave to the club and to the game.

“It stands on the corner of the Copland Road stand, a spot that Walter first strolled along with his grandad Jock to see the club they loved, and one that he would serve so well.

“Walter served the whole country in so many different ways, and all the achievements, the titles and the medals that he accumulated will always be there to remind us of what he did.

“They are not what really matter, though. Not in the long run. At Walter’s memorial service, I was honoured to be asked to say a few words.

“In conclusion, I quoted the great American poet and activist, Maya Angelou, who wrote, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’

“Today, I can think about my friend and whilst the pain of not having him with us remains, it subsides as I close my eyes and think of everything he was to me in my life. I can think of Walter and I can remember how he made me feel. Special.”

• Dear Scotland: On the road with the Tartan Army is published on October 24.

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