Walter Smith 'more than a manager' says Rangers hero Brian Laudrup as he recalls car journey that changed his life

Laudrup recalls the 40-minute trip with Smith that convinced him to sign for Rangers - and got his football career back on track.

Brian Laudrup says the late Walter Smith changed his life forever when he drove him to Loch Lomond and convinced him to sign for Rangers.

But he credits the Ibrox legend with far more than just his management skills during their four years together in Glasgow.

Laudrup was an iconic figure for Rangers during their peak under Smith in the 1990s, firing them to three successive titles at the conclusion of Nine-in-a-Row.

He was recruited from Fiorentina after his career had stalled in Italy, but he was back to his best with Gers scoring 44 goals in 150 appearances before leaving for Chelsea.

He credits that to Smith, who talked him into signing over the course of a 40-minute car trip that he'll remember forever.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Laudrup said: "During my years in football, I encountered people of immense talent and huge reputation. Walter, though, was of a different breed to them all.

"He was somehow more than a manager. I think many of those who played under him would agree. In my time at Rangers, we played for the club, we played for the fans and we played for ourselves.

"Most of all, though, we played for Walter. I think that sums it up. Like everyone who knew and loved him, I am heartbroken to hear of his passing. But the memories will endure.

"For me, they begin in 1994 with perhaps the most important car journey of my life. I met Walter at Ibrox when Rangers wanted to sign me from Fiorentina. We spoke for a little while, then he said: 'Let's go for a drive. I'll take you to Cameron House and show you Loch Lomond.'

"Over those 40 minutes we spoke about a lot of things. I told him about life in Italy and how it had been for me and my family.

"We started to talk about football. Walter said to me: 'Brian, you will get all the freedom on the park you could wish for. The only thing I want in return is that you have to make the difference.'

"It was a turning point in my career. Without question. I've mentioned many times before that I had two very difficult years in Italy. I wanted to be somewhere I could really enjoy the game again.

"Walter made that happen. From 1994 onwards, so much changed in terms of how I felt about football and also the success I achieved. I loved working with him at Rangers and that fed into how I played with Denmark, too."

And Laudrup elaborates on how Smith was more than just a manager, revealing the personal interest he took in the lives of his players.

He went on: "Walter was always personally interested in the whole picture of your life. Straight away, he knew the name of your wife and your children. He understood that if your family or loved ones were happy, then the chance of you delivering on the park would be bigger. It sounds simple, but it takes a certain kind of person to do that. And Walter did it with dedication.

"We actually lived close to each other in Helensburgh. The two houses were only about 100 yards apart. Nicolai, our son, would go and speak to his boys, Neil and Steven.

"At the end of each season, Walter and his wife, Ethel, would invite me and my wife out for dinner. It was just to say thanks for that season.

"Isn't that incredible? So unique. But that's what Walter was all about. He would acknowledge if you did well and was prepared to bulldoze brick walls to look after his players. The deal was that you had to give him the same respect in return.

"It was a very honest relationship and I think that's why you saw so many players playing out of their skins to try and live up to his expectations."