Rangers have revealed plans to unveil a Walter Smith statue ahead of the Scottish Cup final.

The Ibrox great, who lived in Helensburgh, passed away in October 2021, and a statue dedicated to his memory was commissioned by the club a year later. 

Planning permission was submitted to build the bronze structure on the corner of the stadium between Edmiston House and the Copland Road stand.

It will be revealed to fans on Saturday, May 25, the same day Rangers face rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup final. 

The piece has been designed and sculpted by London artist Douglas Jennings, whose portfolio includes a statue of Queen Elizabeth II in London and footballers Jack Charlton and George Cohen.

From visiting Ibrox as a young boy to leading Rangers to multiple victories as their manager, Smith has been cemented as a legend of the club.

Under his tutelage, the side won nine league titles in a row, three Scottish Cups and three League Cups.

In Helensburgh, where he lived for many years, Smith was also honorary president of Ardencaple FC, and regularly attended the youth club's annual awards ceremonies to encourage the next generation.

As a player he was part of the Dumbarton squad which reached the Scottish Cup semi-final in 1976.

Arrangements for his funeral were handled by Burgh firm James Auld Funeral Directors, with Rangers supporters paying tribute to Jim Auld and his staff afterwards.

The statue will be the second on club grounds, with the John Greig Ibrox Disaster memorial already located near the Copland Road and Bill Struth Main Stands.

Club chairman John Bennett said: “It is a poignant moment in the history of this great football club to unveil a statue of our legendary former manager, Walter Smith.

“The outpouring of tributes which arrived from near and far following his passing two-and-a-half-years ago speaks to Walter’s stature as both a human being and custodian of our historic football club, and there is no Ranger more deserving in the modern era of being honoured in bronze.

“I would like to place on record our thanks as a club to the artist and sculptor, Douglas Jennings, as well as internal and external stakeholders who have helped facilitate the process since the commissioning of the statue in October 2022.

“I’m sure the day of the unveiling will be one full of emotion for Walter’s wife, Ethel, his two sons, Neil and Steven, and the rest of the family.

“The work consolidates the significance of the great man and the place he occupies in the storied history of Rangers Football Club.”