Walter Smith : No drink, no nightclubs, no Twitter

[ian1964 10,409]

WALTER SMITH has banned his players from boozy nights out and trash talking on social networking sites as part of his bid to turn their season around.

 

Record Sport told yesterday how the Rangers boss ordered his players into Murray Park last Monday on their day off for a crisis summit less than 24 hours after watching them slump to a humiliating 3-0 thrashing against Celtic.

 

Now we can reveal explosive details of Smith's dressing-room address which has stirred his team back to life ahead of tomorrow night's return to Parkhead for a winor-bust Scottish Cup replay. Smith demanded that his troops rediscover their focus in time for the end of season run in by:

 

Warning that any player caught nightclubbing will face disciplinary action.

 

Blasting the use of Twitter accounts.

 

Barring his players from posting any inflammatory remarks.

 

Ordering them to keep their private lives off the front pages.

 

Smith's training ground showdown has triggered an instant reaction from his players who have bounced back with a European glory night in Lisbon and a 4-0 SPL thumping of St Johnstone.

 

Smith even went as far as to say his players were disgusted with themselves after their capitulation on derby day.

 

But rather than go easy on them the veteran manager made it clear what he demands of them in his final three months at the helm.

 

Record Sport can reveal that he was angered even before kick-off at Celtic Park when a Sunday tabloid splashed graphic details of a fight between the wags of keeper Allan McGregor and midfielder Maurice Edu.

 

He has demanded that his players and their partners keep a lower public profile from here on in. And that includes using the internet to take cheap shots at Celtic.

 

Smith has clearly reached the end of his tether and his players were left in no doubt that they will be in hot water if they are caught stoking things up again.

 

Edu - who bagged the goal in Portugal which saw Smith's men into the last 16 of the Europa League - is a prolific tweeter with almost half a million followers.

 

But his last comment came one hour before the derby on February 20. It read: Game time Old Firm derby let's go.

 

A Rangers source said: "It is fair to say Walter went off on one during his meeting with the players. They have been left in no doubt over what is required from them from now until the end of the season.

 

"He felt they needed reminding of exactly what is expected of them as Rangers players and his message seems to have hit the mark."

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/03/01/rangers-boss-walter-smith-lays-down-the-law-to-players-to-turn-around-season-no-drink-no-nightclubs-no-twitter-86908-22957890/

[metlika 0]

Edu hasn't used twitter since the last OF game, but he never really trashed talked. I think that was more aimed at Lafferty.

 

Also good to stop players from going to nightclubs as the stories that fly about especially with McGregor, plus the ill effects that might happen to Diouf if he was out and about.

[calscot 0]

I think players have to learn that with fame and money and fitness oriented job comes a "price" where you have to develop a bit more sophistication in your social life. It shouldn't really affect them that much as clubbing to me anyway, is more about either pulling or having a late drink than anything else. With their fame and money, pulling should be pretty easy without going to clubs and with their job, they shouldn't really be looking for late drinks.

 

If they really want to dance and drink late they shouldn't find it too hard to organise a private party with their friends, families, team-mates and entourages. There's also plenty of upmarket places they can frequent which will be free of trouble. Basically there's plenty of safer ways for them to enjoy themselves beyond the usual clubs and pubs which can attract the less savoury elements who want to have a go.

[Danny 0]

Interesting piece. Seems to be true, given the point about Edu's Twitter. Good to see our manager exacting strict discipline at this crucial stage of the season.

[maineflyer 0]

This should be a standard expectation at all times. Players do their thing on the park, period.

[Norris Cole 0]

I remember reading an interview with Steven Whittaker in which he was asked why he was teetotal. He simply replied that it was a short career and he had many years to drink after retiring if he wished.

[maineflyer 0]

I'd recommend Whittaker starts with a lager and moves swiftly on to vodka.

[metlika 0]

I remember reading an interview with Steven Whittaker in which he was asked why he was teetotal. He simply replied that it was a short career and he had many years to drink after retiring if he wished.

 

He looked fairly drunk during the 2009 title celebrations at Ibrox when he was interviewed. I guess he wasn't then.

[pete 2,499]

He looked pretty drunk on Thursday against Sporting.

[Wija 0]

No winning attitude, no players in position, no fight, no guts... but Whittaker showed plenty of stupity.

 

We have some extremely poor players, and what makes them poor is their attitude. Also the fact that we have players on the bench who could do jobs, but we play other players out of position.

 

We are a total shambles against this lot, they are pish poor, but we are worse.