Express Mortgages Express Loans Bingo Lose Weight Franchising Dating Shopping Book Shop Compare Broadband Wine Shop Legal Store FlatShare Cruises

FOOTBALL

SMITH: NERVES WILL PLAY A PART

SMITH: Crucial games

Monday June 30,2008

By Andy McInnes

WALTER SMITH admits Rangers will face a nervy couple of games – no matter who they are paired with in tomorrow’s Champions League second-round qualifying draw in Nyon.

The Ibrox side go into the hat alongside emerging teams such as Slovenian champions NK Domzale and minnows NSI Runavik, from the Faroes, and the Ibrox boss insists there will be no easy passage.

But, having reached the UEFA Cup Final last season, Smith is banking on his men producing the same professionalism to secure their place with the big guns in the top tournament this time around.

“We showed we could handle the Champions League group stage last year and the aim is to get the opportunity to do the same again by overcoming whoever we get when the draw is made,” said Smith.

“The experience we have gained in Europe will help us, but we will have to be as ready as we possibly can.

“There is a lot at stake financially, so, no matter how fit or fresh we are, there are going to be nerves to overcome in both matches.’’

Rangers have previously faced Gothenburg and Anorthosis Famagusta, who are involved at this stage, and Smith is keen to avoid torturous journeys to Dinamo Tbilisi in Georgia or Kazakhstan, who are represented by FK Aktobe.

The experience of Celtic two years ago when they were thrashed 5-0 by Artmedia Bratislava is a cautionary tale of what can go wrong for the SPL runners-up and Smith is adamant his opponents will be treated with respect.

The ties will be played in the last week of July and the first week of August.