A friendly turned farce when fog hid players swapping in extras—did Dynamo Moscow secretly field 15 men? Arsenal hosted Dynamo Moscow in thick London fog; the ref ignored pleas to stop. Moscow allegedly subbed without removing players, Arsenal's goalie knocked himself out (replaced by a spectator), and a sent-off player sneaked back on. Ended 4-3 to Moscow amid accusations.

24/ Beyond the European adventure, Smith's second spell was marked by continued domestic success. He guided Rangers to three more league titles (2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11), two Scottish Cups (2007-08, 2008-09), and three League Cups (2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11). This brought his total trophy haul at Rangers to 21 major honors across both spells. The 2010 League Cup final against St. Mirren provided one of the most dramatic moments of Smith's second tenure. With Rangers reduced to nine men following red cards for Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson, Smith darted to the touchline to reorganize his team. Kenny Miller's winning goal secured the trophy and demonstrated Smith's ability to adapt tactically under pressure. Walter Smith's retirement from management in May 2011 marked the end of an era not just for Rangers but for Scottish football as a whole. His final match was a 5-1 victory over Kilmarnock that secured Rangers' 54th league title, a fitting conclusion to a managerial career that had spanned over two decades. Smith's statistical achievements are remarkable by any measure. As Rangers manager across two spells, he won 10 league titles, 5 Scottish Cups, and 6 League Cups – a total of 21 major trophies that makes him the second-most successful manager in the club's history, behind only Bill Struth. His seven consecutive league titles during his first spell contributed to Rangers' historic nine-in-a-row achievement, while his later UEFA Cup final appearance demonstrated his tactical evolution.

23/ Rangers' path to the final was characterized by tactical discipline and defensive organization. They scored just 16 goals in 18 European matches but conceded only 11, demonstrating the effectiveness of Smith's pragmatic approach. Critics argued that the football was often "largely unexciting and unattractive," but Smith's priority was results rather than style. The quarter-final victory over Sporting Lisbon epitomized Smith's tactical approach. After a 0-0 draw at Ibrox, Rangers traveled to Portugal and secured a 2-0 victory through disciplined defending and clinical finishing. The semi-final against Fiorentina was even more dramatic, with Rangers progressing 4-2 on penalties after two 0-0 draws. The final itself, held at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14, 2008, ended in disappointment as Rangers lost 2-0 to Zenit St. Petersburg. However, the achievement of reaching the final was extraordinary given the circumstances. An estimated 200,000 Rangers supporters traveled to Manchester for the occasion, creating what many described as the largest traveling support in football history.

22/ The transformation was remarkable. Smith's first major signing was David Weir, a 37-year-old center-back whom he knew from their time together at Everton. Many questioned the wisdom of signing such an aging player, but Weir's leadership and experience proved invaluable, with the defender going on to captain Rangers to three league titles and playing until the age of 41. Other astute signings included Carlos Cuellar from Osasuna and Sasa Papac as a free agent from Austria Vienna. These players may not have possessed the star quality of previous Rangers teams, but they embodied the work ethic and commitment that Smith valued above all else. The culmination of Smith's tactical evolution came during Rangers' remarkable run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final. This achievement represented perhaps Smith's greatest managerial accomplishment, as he guided a team with limited resources to compete with and defeat some of Europe's finest clubs.

21/ The Glorious Return: Second Rangers Spell (2007-2011) When Rangers approached Smith about returning to Ibrox in January 2007, the club was in crisis. Under French manager Paul Le Guen, Rangers had endured a chaotic period marked by player revolts, tactical confusion, and poor results. The appointment of Smith represented a return to stability and proven success, though the challenge facing him was markedly different from his first spell. The Scottish football landscape had changed dramatically since Smith's departure in 1998. Celtic had established themselves as the dominant force in Scottish football, winning multiple titles and establishing a significant financial advantage through superior commercial operations and European competition revenue. Rangers' financial situation was becoming increasingly precarious, limiting Smith's ability to compete in the transfer market. However, Smith's second spell at Rangers would prove that tactical acumen and man-management skills could overcome financial disadvantages. Rather than trying to replicate the expensive star-studded teams of his first tenure, Smith focused on building a cohesive unit from budget signings and veteran players seeking to extend their careers.

19/ One of Smith's most significant early achievements was securing a creditable 1-1 draw with Italy at Hampden Park in March 2005. The Italian team would go on to win the World Cup just ten months later, making Scotland's performance all the more impressive. This result provided early evidence that Smith's methods were working and that Scotland could compete with the world's best teams when properly organized and motivated. Before the start of Euro 2008 qualifying, Smith took Scotland on a morale-boosting trip to Japan to compete in the Kirin Cup. This initiative demonstrated his understanding that successful international management extends beyond tactical preparation to include building team spirit and exposing players to different environments and challenges. The defining moment of Smith's tenure as Scotland manager came on September 7, 2006, when Scotland recorded a famous 1-0 victory over France in a Euro 2008 qualifying match at Hampden Park. The French team were the World Cup runners-up, having lost the final to Italy just two months earlier, making Scotland's victory all the more remarkable.

18/ Restoring National Pride: Scotland Manager (2004-2007) When Berti Vogts resigned as Scotland manager in November 2004, the national team was at its lowest ebb in living memory. Sitting 88th in the FIFA World Rankings and having failed to qualify for major tournaments consistently, Scotland football was in desperate need of revival. Smith's appointment on December 2, 2004, was greeted with cautious optimism by a fan base that had endured years of disappointment. The challenge facing Smith was immense. Scotland's previous World Cup qualifying campaign had been a disaster under Vogts, and the team's performances had been characterized by a lack of confidence, tactical coherence, and national pride. Smith's task was not merely to improve results but to restore belief in the Scotland jersey and reconnect the national team with its supporters. Working alongside a "coaching dream team" of Ally McCoist and Tommy Burns, Smith quickly set about implementing changes. His first priority was to restore pride and professionalism to the Scotland setup, drawing on his experience of managing at the highest level to establish proper standards and expectations.

17/ Return to Elite Football: Manchester United Assistant (2004) After spending two years away from football management, Smith returned to the elite level in March 2004 when he accepted an invitation from Sir Alex Ferguson to serve as assistant manager at Manchester United for the remainder of the 2003-04 season. This appointment represented both a reunion of old friends and a recognition of Smith's enduring qualities as a coach. The partnership between Ferguson and Smith had its roots in their collaboration with the Scotland national team at the 1986 World Cup, and their friendship had endured through the subsequent years. Ferguson's decision to bring Smith to Old Trafford demonstrated his trust in the Scotsman's abilities and his belief that Smith could contribute to Manchester United's continued success. Smith's brief spell at Manchester United coincided with the club's FA Cup triumph, as they defeated Millwall 3-0 in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. While Smith's specific contributions to this success are difficult to quantify, his presence clearly added value to Ferguson's coaching setup during a crucial period of the season.

15/ The 1999-2000 campaign represented Smith's most successful period at Everton. Despite an inconsistent start that saw Everton win just two of their opening six fixtures, the permanent signing of Campbell for £3 million, along with the addition of Joe-Max Moore and the return of former Rangers defender Richard Gough, helped offset the departures of Marco Materazzi and Olivier Dacourt. This season saw Everton achieve their best finish under Smith, reaching 13th place with 50 points. However, the 2000-01 season marked a regression, with Everton slipping back toward relegation danger and finishing 16th with just 42 points. Injuries to key players like Francis Jeffers and Campbell, combined with limited funds for replacements, severely hampered the team's progress. Smith's decision to sign Mark Hughes represented a desperate attempt to extract value from an aging star, but it ultimately proved unsuccessful. Smith's tenure at Everton was characterized by tactical pragmatism born of necessity, but ultimately his four seasons yielded disappointing results. The team's league finishes of 14th, 13th, 16th, and 16th (when he was dismissed) reflected a club that never found consistency or momentum under his leadership. Without the resources to compete with the Premier League's elite, he focused on defensive organization and physical commitment, but this approach struggled to produce the results needed to satisfy supporters or the board.

14/ Smith's first season at Goodison Park was marked by instability both on and off the pitch. The sale of Duncan Ferguson to Newcastle United for £8 million in November 1998 was conducted without Smith's knowledge, leaving the manager feeling undermined and questioning his future at the club. Smith later admitted that he "thought about quitting the club many times" after the Ferguson incident, describing the situation as "ridiculous" and unlike anything he had experienced at Tannadice or Ibrox. The breakdown in communication was symptomatic of broader issues within Everton's management structure. Smith reflected on this period with characteristic honesty: "The sort of situation that arose at Goodison would never have happened at Tannadice or Ibrox. I was taken aback by such a deliberate breakdown in communications, and day after day I reviewed my position and asked myself if there was any future for me." Despite these challenges, Smith persevered and managed to achieve Premier League survival. The acquisition of Kevin Campbell from Turkish club Trabzonspor in April 1999 proved crucial, with the striker scoring nine goals in five games to help Everton avoid relegation, finishing 14th with 43 points in his first season.