WALTER Smith last night angrily denied yesterday's reports that he had signed a new two-year deal at Ibrox that would see him take charge of the Rangers' reserve and youth sides.
The man, who will tomorrow, at Tannadice, attempt to steer Rangers to their tenth successive Scottish league championship, was stunned when told that radio reports suggested he would fill such a position at Ibrox when the new coach, Dutchman Dick Advocaat, arrives this summer.
Smith will remain at Ibrox, but it is inconceivable that club chairman David Murray would insult the man - who has had such outstanding success with Rangers for the past seven years - by offering him ''days out'' presiding over second team or youth matches.
Said Smith: ''I can categorically state that I shall not be involved in running the reserve or youth team with Rangers next season. There are people already in place for that purpose.
''It's no secret that I have been offered a two-year contract to remain with Rangers. I have not signed any contract, and, to be honest, I don't know if a contract is necessary after all the years I've spent at the club.
''There has been a major misunderstanding over this report. The full details of the role the chairman wants me to fill have still to be defined.''
Smith will wait until the fine-tuning on the position has been done. He has no intention of being at Ibrox on any kind of daily basis while the new coach is taking over the job.
It would appear that Smith's new role at Ibrox would be something akin to the position of the ''super scout'' that Murray had in mind for Kenny Dalglish, before the former Celtic and Liverpool man joined Newcastle United as manager.
Meantime, Richard Gough will join up with his new San Jose Clash team-mates on May 18 - only 48 hours after the Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
This will be a swift end to the captain's Ibrox career as he jets off to finish his footballing days in the States.
Gordan Petric will join the Ibrox exodus after the final. The Yugoslav is out of contract and is heading for Spain.
Real Mallorca head a queue of clubs who want the former Dundee United sweeper. Stephen Wright, who has returned to Rangers after a three-match loan spell with Wolves, is also leaving in the summer. He is interesting Hearts and Southampton.
Meanwhile, former Rangers defender Steven Pressley looks set to be missing from the Dundee United team for the Ibrox side's visit to Tannadice. Pressley is again struggling with the foot injury that has plagued him since March and it is unlikely he will be able to stand in the way of the Ibrox club's quest for 10-in-a-row.
Pressley, who first suffered the injury in training just before the Scottish Cup quarter-final defeat by Celtic at Tannadice, made his comeback in the 2-1 win over Hibs at Easter Road on Saturday - a result that secured United's top-division status - but has been unable to train again since.
In fact, the injury flare-up could mean the last has been seen of the former Scotland Under-21 player in a United shirt. His contract is up at the end of the season and he seems certain to move during the summer.
United's defensive problems for the Rangers clash go beyond the concern over Pressley, with Mark Perry and Siggi Jonsson also toiling for fitness.
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