He emphasised his desire to stay at Rangers for the length of his three-and-a-half year contract after having had his love for the game restored.

Smith was speaking at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow, where last night's black-tie ceremony was held. Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar and Celtic winger Aiden McGeady were also honoured, named player of the year and young player of the season respectively.

Smith reflected on a season that has exceeded his expectations, with the Ibrox side on the brink of a possible domestic treble. They have also reached the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time since 1972.

Smith stressed that he did not take the Rangers job to walk away from it again. The Ibrox manager had caused a stir after the first leg of Rangers' Uefa Cup quarter-final tie with Sporting Lisbon when he commented on the negative reaction of the home crowd.

A fine second-leg result in Portugal made this criticism appear foolishly premature. Rangers remain in the hunt for a possible quadruple and should they avoid defeat to Celtic tomorrow night will have all but made certain of the SPL title.

"I mentioned the other day about booing and how it usually means the manager leaves," he said. "It was interesting the way that was interpreted. But what I meant is that's the truth. It's what happens. I wasn't trying to be clever. If crowds express their displeasure managers normally leave. But I wasn't saying I was going to do that. I didn't take the Rangers job to walk out on it."

"Look at Gordon Strachan (at Celtic]," he continued. "You have to win. He has not even lost (the league] yet. I think it was a great achievement to take a team to the last 16 of the Champions League.

"For me it is wrong to look too far ahead. Hopefully you are able to get a bit of success. I signed a contract for three-and-a-half years. I just hope I do well enough to continue. How long that will be I don't know. I am a bit calmer than I was before. The Scotland job gave me a first real opportunity to go to games in Europe and really have a look at how teams played. I think I can handle games where the margin for error is tight a lot better. There is a calmness within myself. I know the game will develop in a certain manner, when before I maybe panicked."

Smith also paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought his friend to Manchester United for a three-month period towards the end of the 2003-04 season. Ferguson needed an assistant after Carlos Queiroz left Old Trafford to take over at Real Madrid, and Smith helped United lift the FA Cup with a victory over Millwall.

"I went to Manchester United after being unemployed for over a year and that gave me the bug to get back (into football]," said Smith.

"I had actually quite enjoyed having an opportunity to do what I wanted to do. I watched a few games of football and played golf. I was in a luckier situation than a lot of people who are unemployed. Manchester United gave me a bit of a lust for it again, especially when we won the cup final.

"I then went back to the Scotland job and enjoyed it," he continued. "There was always the frustration of not having daily contact with the players, or having any staff to work with. But as I said at the time and I will say it again – I would never have left that job for any other job."

Player of the Year winner Carlos Cuellar was given the honour after a consistent first season in Smith's Rangers defence, while Young Player of the Year McGeady has begun to fulfil his potential at Celtic this year.

AWARDS GALORE

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION: Members vote for a player, manager and young player . There is no short list, and the winners will be named on 11 May.

PFA SCOTLAND: Members vote for player of the year in each of the four senior leagues, and for young player. The nominees were announced last week, and the winners will be revealed on Sunday.

CLYDESDALE BANK PREMIER LEAGUE: Inaugural awards in ten categories, including manager, player and young player, were announced last night. Winners were chosen by a 'panel of Scottish football experts'.