Dundee United manager Peter Houston believes bringing success to Rangers with money and now without it proves Walter Smith is the greatest manager of his generation.
While Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements at Manchester United and Jock Stein’s Euro-pean Cup elevate them above all, Houston believes Smith deserves to take his place as the Premier League’s all-time great.
Dundee United travel to Ibrox on Sunday with a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup at stake.
Smith carried on the work of Graeme Souness to lead Rangers to nine successive championships but any notion he could not operate without David Murray’s chequebook has been dispelled over the last two years as he has led Rangers to the brink of back-to-back titles and a Uefa Cup final despite having no money to spend.
“Walter is definitely up there with the best – if not the best,” said Houston. “Martin O’Neill came up and did a great job but we are talking about a Scotsman here who worked wonders with Rangers when he had money and wonders when they haven’t had a lot of money.
“That tells you how good he is at his job and he also did a great job during his own time here at Dundee United.
“In my opinion, he could easily be up there as number one.
“I know Walter through my coaching career and he handles himself well on and off the park but he also has a real desire to win things. I admire him so much. A lot of people thought it was easy for Rangers to win during the nine-in-a-row years.
“Now Rangers have very little money he has continued his success and got to the Uefa Cup final.
“It would be a huge achievement for Rangers to win back-to-back titles.
“People have criticised their style of play but look at how many goals they have scored and how many points they have in the league. It’s rubbish when people say they are not good to watch. They score loads of goals and that’s what people want to see.”
After Rangers demolished United 7-1 in December Smith took Houston aside to offer some words of advice. This was appreciated, especially as the mauling came only days after he took his first tentative steps towards being a manager in his own right.
Houston said: “Walter was very gracious in victory.
“He came in and had a chat with me. What he said will remain private but he was very good and didn’t gloat about the result. I would love to be the one consoling Walter Smith on Sunday. It is like everything else we just want to go there and give a good account of ourselves.”
United have not won the cup since 1994 when Craig Brewster scored to defeat Rangers.
Houston knows they will have to do it the hard way if that is to happen again this season but his team will go to Ibrox full of confidence.
He said: “1994 was a great occasion for the supporters and half the city. I just want to be in a situation again where we are in their challenging for another final.”