Smith upbeat despite absentees

RANGERS manager Walter Smith has every confidence his patched-up team will come through tonight’s tie against Fiorentina with their hopes of reaching the UEFA Cup final still alive.

A long, hard season and the pursuit of four trophies is finally beginning to take its toll, with several key players injured or suspended ahead of the last-four clash at Ibrox.

Captain Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson are both banned for the first leg, while injured quartet of goalkeeper Allan McGregor, Lee McCulloch, Charlie Adam, Steven Naismith and Chris Burke are all likely to miss both matches against the Italians.

Smith’s squad will be stretched to the limit but he refused to be downbeat about his lack of options.

“It makes it easier to pick the team,” he said. “The fewer players you have, the easier it is to select a team.

“We have looked at the opposition and then we will look at our own squad and select from there.”

Fixture plans revealed on Tuesday by the Scottish Premier League leave Rangers facing the prospect of four games in eight days if they reach the UEFA Cup final, a move that was condemned by chief executive Martin Bain.

However, Smith refused to be drawn into the row, choosing to focus on the visit of La Viola instead.

“There is a sense of frustration but that’s not something we should bring up at the present moment,” he said.

“The most important thing is the game, which has really got nothing to do with the fixture congestion we face afterwards.

“We were a little bit surprised to reach this stage and it has been a terrific achievement by all the players.

“We have worked extremely hard and have enjoyed a little bit of luck along the way.

“But, now that we’re here, we can say for the first time that we are looking forward to two very tough games but also the possibility of getting to a European final. For a coach or a player, it’s a big thing in their career.”