I don't really think you can say he saw off many, if any at all considering Celtic only finished 2nd twice during his time in charge and beat us to the title in his last year.
Celtic were very poor and we spent millions so it was no contest in reality.
I think Smith was very limited as a manger and I certainly wasn't his greatest fan at the time.
I felt he played too many players out of position and struggled badly in Europe after a good start.
I think he seemed to struggle to get the best out of the players once he was able to buy almost anyone.
He did very well to reach the final in Europe in his second spell where it looked like he finally learned how to grind out results.
Now, saying all that I love Walter and he is a true Rangers Legend who pretty much all his ex players speak highly of him so this is nothing other than my own view at the time. I realise most think he is great.
