Bonnyloyal
Well-Known Member
Lawwell said: “Every now and then someone comes along who transcends the rivalry between our clubs.
“Tommy Burns was one of those men and Walter Smith was most certainly another. That’s why, today, we are all united in feeling such a painful loss.
“Walter and I had our moments but we always had a deep mutual respect for one another.
“I saw a different side to him throughout Tommy’s illness. I could see him for the man he was in how he crossed the divide for his great friend.”
Lawwell revealed, in their later years, the pair even managed to strike up an unlikely friendship.
He said: “When he left Rangers we even managed to become reasonably pally!
“I always appreciated those conversations because he was such an obvious leader of men.
“During his time at Rangers he became a true legend, not just because of the trophies he won but because of the standards he held on and off the pitch.
“He was a great man and I hold him in the highest possible regard.
“I will always respect him and admire his achievements as a manager for both Rangers and for Scotland. He will go down on the list of Scottish football’s all-time greats.”
“Tommy Burns was one of those men and Walter Smith was most certainly another. That’s why, today, we are all united in feeling such a painful loss.
“Walter and I had our moments but we always had a deep mutual respect for one another.
“I saw a different side to him throughout Tommy’s illness. I could see him for the man he was in how he crossed the divide for his great friend.”
Lawwell revealed, in their later years, the pair even managed to strike up an unlikely friendship.
He said: “When he left Rangers we even managed to become reasonably pally!
“I always appreciated those conversations because he was such an obvious leader of men.
“During his time at Rangers he became a true legend, not just because of the trophies he won but because of the standards he held on and off the pitch.
“He was a great man and I hold him in the highest possible regard.
“I will always respect him and admire his achievements as a manager for both Rangers and for Scotland. He will go down on the list of Scottish football’s all-time greats.”