Glasgow — Rangers Confirm Stevie Smith Will Be Integral to Danny Rohl’s Coaching Setup
Rangers Football Club has officially confirmed that Steven “Stevie” Smith will remain part of manager Danny Rohl’s first-team coaching staff for the rest of the 2025–26 season, a move that underscores the club’s commitment to continuity and identity amid ongoing transition at Ibrox.
The 40-year-old former defender has rapidly become one of the most talked-about figures behind the scenes at Rangers. Smith began the season as head coach of the club’s under-18 side but was thrust into the spotlight following the dismissal of Russell Martin in early October, stepping up as interim manager and guiding the team to a 2-2 draw with Dundee United.
Since then, Smith has worked alongside Rohl — the German coach appointed head coach in October — and has now been formally confirmed as part of the senior coaching team.
Rohl explained that retaining Smith was a priority, describing him as someone who “knows the club” and brings invaluable experience both on and off the training pitch.
> “I am delighted to confirm Steven as part of my coaching team,” Rohl said in a statement. “He has impressed me with his ability on and off the training pitch, the way he works with the players and staff, as well as his experience. I said it was important to have someone who knows the club and Steven has that.”
Smith’s return to a prominent role at Rangers is seen as a strategic blend of tradition and progress. A former defender who made over 70 appearances for the club across two spells, Smith won three Scottish Premiership titles and a League Cup during his playing career. He was also part of the Rangers squad that achieved promotion from League One in 2013.
After retiring from playing, Smith transitioned into coaching, joining Rangers’ youth structure and quickly earning a reputation as a sharp tactical mind and strong communicator with the club’s emerging talent. His recent elevation into the first-team environment reflects a broader trend at Ibrox toward internal development and cultural continuity.
For fans and pundits alike, the formalization of Smith’s role brings a sense of stability at a time of change. Rangers have experienced managerial turnover and off-field reshaping in recent months; Rohl’s arrival followed the collapse of high-profile approaches for other candidates, and the team have confronted a challenging league campaign and European tests.
Smith’s continued presence is expected to help bridge the gap between the club’s storied past and its ambitions for the present. Supporters have long prized figures with deep Rangers roots, and his appointment signals to the squad and supporters alike that club identity and internal growth remain central pillars of Rohl’s project.
As Rangers look to climb the Scottish Premiership table and make a serious impact in cup competitions, Smith’s influence — infused with the wisdom of a former player and the energy of a committed coach — could prove a defining factor in how the season unfolds.