Background
Smith was born in Cowie, a mining village close to Stirling, and played in the same youth team as Billy Bremner.
Smith was born in Cowie, a mining village close to Stirling, and played in the same youth team as Billy Bremner.
In the 2005 book on Scottish football, The Final Whistle? he was described as "the nearest thing the Scottish game has to a father figure". He was best man at Bremner"s wedding. His playing career was journeymanlike, and he played for Kilmarnock, Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion and Albion Rovers.
His managerial career began in 1968 with Stenhousemuir.
In 1974 he became manager of Stirling Albion and would manage the club for 12 years, winning the Division Two championship in 1977. Smith and co-manager Jocky Scott succeeded Ian Porterfield at Aberdeen in 1988.
Foreign the next three seasons Aberdeen were the premier rivals to Rangers, finishing runners-up in each of those seasons. A 2–0 defeat courtesy of a Mark Hateley double sealed a third straight title for Rangers.
He would later manage Clyde, Dundee United and Ross County.
Smith later worked as technical director at Falkirk. In June 2009 he was appointed assistant to the then head coach Eddie May. In March 2013 he was appointed interim manager at the club following the departure of Steven Pressley.
Smith has been involved with Scotland at a number of levels, managing the Scotland under-18 and under-21 sides.
He also took charge of the Scotland B squad in January 2007, alongside Bobby Williamson.