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Walter Smith's hilarious Rangers red card as former ref revisits moment 'bluenose' official sent icon to the stands

Steve Conroy told the BBC's Off the Ball programme that he was the only official to ever send off the former Scotland boss during his time at the Ibrox club.

Steve Conroy sending Walter Smith to the stand during a Premier League match with Kilmarnock in 2009
Steve Conroy sending Walter Smith to the stand during a Premier League match with Kilmarnock in 2009(Image: SCOTTISH DAILY RECORD)

A former grade one referee has recalled the "hilarious" moment he was asked to send then Rangers manager Walter Smith to the stands during a game at Rugby Park.

Steve Conroy told the BBC's Off the Ball programme that he was the only official to ever send off the former Scotland boss during his time at the Ibrox club. Smith was furious at a decision during the showdown with Kilmarnock in September 2009 which eventually ended 0-0, where Pedro Mendes was shown red for the visitors while Manuel Pascali was given his marching orders for the hosts by Conroy in the heated clash.


The former whistler also claimed an ex-referee was a "notorious bluenose" - and immediately regretted pointing out the touchline antics of the boss. Alan Muir was the fourth official between Smith and Killie boss Jim Jefferies that day. Conroy said: "I'm still the only one that has sent off Walter Smith and that was at Kilmarnock.


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I won't say who the fourth official was but it was a fourth official who got me to send him to the stands. It was hilarious. The fourth official was a notorious blue nose, and you know how we are all hooked up. He said, 'Stevie, I can't believe I've got you to do this."

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