Smith ponders Boyd recall as Gers hunt goals in Greece

WALTER SMITH has confirmed he could turn to goal machine Kris Boyd to breach the Panathinaikos defence as Rangers bid to extend their European adventure tonight (5pm).

Boyd has not started a European game since July 31, when he lined up against FK Zeta in Rangers’ first Champions League qualifier.

The 24-year-old is a prolific striker for Rangers however for European games manager Smith has preferred to line up in a 4-5-1 formation, and Boyd has not been considered for the role up front, which has been split between Jean-Claude Darcheville, Daniel Cousin and Lee McCulloch.

After the Ibrox stalemate, where Nacho Novo missed several chances to give Rangers an advantage, Smith is considering restoring the Scotland international to his starting line-up. “It’s a definite possibility,” Smith said.

The Rangers boss explained:

If Rangers grab an away goal, Panathinaikos must win the game but Smith believes the Greeks will be formidable. “It’s a tough tie. Panathinaikos are top of their league. They have a large pool of players that give them a lot of variation.

“It is very difficult for me to try to pick which team the coach will play. But they did show in the first game what they can do.

“We have scored more goals away from home — three at Lyon, two in Stuttgart. It gives us some confidence. We know that we can go away from home and score.”

Another goalless draw after extra-time would result in a penalty shoot-out, and Smith stressed: “We practice penalties regularly. We are ready if it goes to penalties.”