Rangers not ready not ready to unveil Smith

Rangers insist there are no firm plans to unveil Walter Smith as their new manager today – however he already appears to be making plans for a future at Ibrox.

The Scotland head coach failed with a request to be released from his role with the national team on Monday, and yesterday saw little tangible progress made.

Yet Smith has already persuaded Kenny McDowall to quit his role as reserve-team coach at Celtic to take up a first-team role at Rangers.

McDowall confirmed he discussed the Rangers job with Smith before resigning his Celtic post, a firm indication that the 58-year-old national team boss is laying the groundwork for his second spell in charge of the Light Blues.

Former Partick striker McDowall explained: “I don’t know him that well but by the end of the meeting I felt as if I had known him for a hundred years.”

Such news may have not gone down well as Smith arrived at SFA headquarters today, given the 58-year-old national coach has yet to be given permission to take the Rangers job.

However whether it demonstrates how close Smith is to returning to Rangers remains to be seen.

Reports this morning claimed Smith would be confirmed at Ibrox today, however Rangers stressed there were no plans for an unveiling.

That could certainly change, perhaps if Smith was to resign from his Scotland role.

Ideally Rangers would have Smith in place for Saturday’s Bank of Scotland Premier League match against Dundee United, allowing him ample time to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

McDowall is already looking forward to working with the man who delivered seven league titles in the 1990s.

With Rangers goalscoring legend Ally McCoist expected to join Smith, McDowall admits he can hardly wait to start work.

McDowall, 43, told the Daily Record: “The big pull was the chance to work with guys like Walter Smith and Ally McCoist in a first-team environment.”

He added: “I’m an ambitious guy and I would have wanted to speak to Walter about this role regardless of my contractual situation at Celtic.”