Rangers chairman Sir David Murray celebrated his 20th anniversary at Ibrox this weekend and boss Walter Smith declared the chairman is the driving force behind the club. Under his stewardship the Gers have recorded nine consecutive championships, three domestic trebles and last season's UEFA Cup final in Manchester.

"I owe him a lot," said Smith, who has had two spells as manager under Murray.

"It would have been easy for him to go with an experienced manager and I think it took a bit of courage for him to appoint myself.

"That type of decision has been typical of how he has handled Rangers over the past 20 years.

"When you are the owner and the chairman of a club there is no hiding place. You are always under so much scrutiny in Scotland and it takes a certain individual to handle it. I don't think anyone could have handled it better over the years than he has.

"His leadership has been the main reason Rangers has had success. He wants to win at whatever he does.

"It hasn't been easy for any club owners outside of the big countries so I think he has to be commended for the way he has handled that change."