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Gers have Smith approach rejected Gers have Smith approach rejected
(30 minutes later)
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has rejected Rangers' approach for Scotland coach Walter Smith.The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has rejected Rangers' approach for Scotland coach Walter Smith.
Smith and his strikers coach Ally McCoist have been tipped to take over at Ibrox following the departure of manager Paul Le Guen last week.Smith and his strikers coach Ally McCoist have been tipped to take over at Ibrox following the departure of manager Paul Le Guen last week.
But the SFA refused Smith's request to be relieved of his duties after talks held at Hampden on Monday.But the SFA refused Smith's request to be relieved of his duties after talks held at Hampden on Monday.
Smith is contracted until the summer of 2008 and SFA chief executive David Taylor said he wanted him to stay.Smith is contracted until the summer of 2008 and SFA chief executive David Taylor said he wanted him to stay.
Media Conference: SFA chief executive David Taylor onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6242339'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: Former Scotland boss Craig Brown onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6241977'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Media Conference: SFA chief executive David Taylor
Taylor said Rangers enquired about Smith's availability at the weekend.Taylor said Rangers enquired about Smith's availability at the weekend.
Speaking after talks at Hampden, Taylor said: "Following contact from Rangers football club, we held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith.Speaking after talks at Hampden, Taylor said: "Following contact from Rangers football club, we held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith.
Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland SFA chief executiveDavid TaylorWalter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland SFA chief executiveDavid Taylor
"At this meeting Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland."At this meeting Walter Smith asked to be relieved of his contract as national team manager for Scotland.
"This request has been refused and Rangers have been advised accordingly.""This request has been refused and Rangers have been advised accordingly."
Taylor said Smith "understands" the stance taken by the SFA, adding: "He is under contract with the SFA and we have made our position clear.Taylor said Smith "understands" the stance taken by the SFA, adding: "He is under contract with the SFA and we have made our position clear.
"There is no action to be taken by the SFA, it is a matter for Walter or Rangers.""There is no action to be taken by the SFA, it is a matter for Walter or Rangers."
If Smith does take over it would be his second spell at Ibrox, after helping Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton.If Smith does take over it would be his second spell at Ibrox, after helping Rangers win nine successive titles before resigning in 1998 and moving to Everton.
Both Smith and Rangers legend McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.Both Smith and Rangers legend McCoist have played a pivotal role in Scotland's stunning start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France.Scotland are the surprise Group B leaders in the Euro 2008 qualifying phase, ahead of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France.
It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign.It has been suggested that Smith will fill a dual role and continue as Scotland manager until the end of the present European Championship campaign.
"It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA."It would be a major disruption to lose Walter and I would be disappointed if it does happen," added Taylor, who revealed that McCoist does not have a contract with the SFA.
606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say606 MYSPORT: DEBATE Fans who think that Smith and McCoist will wave a magic wand and bring back the glory years are deluded IRN 606: Have your say
"Walter is the Scotland team manager, and I hope it stays that way," said Taylor."Walter is the Scotland team manager, and I hope it stays that way," said Taylor.
"He's got a contract for another 18 months and that's the issue here.""He's got a contract for another 18 months and that's the issue here."
Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term.Sheffield United assistant manager Stuart McCall could also be part of the new management team that may see McCoist and McCall take the reigns in the long-term.
But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen".But, while McCall told BBC Sport he would "crawl over broken glass" to return to Rangers, he also added that "I don't think it will happen".
Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic.Ian Durrant took charge of the first team for Sunday's Scottish Cup third round defeat at Dunfermline Athletic.
"If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant."If it does happen that Walter comes I will be delighted," said reserve coach Durrant.