Smith shrugs off absentee list

Rangers manager Walter Smith has every confidence his patched-up team will come through tomorrow night’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 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.

“We have a requisite number available to us so we are quite confident the side we put out will acquit themselves well.

“We haven’t played the same system in all the European games we’ve had this season, we have changed it now and again. For instance, the last time, when we were in Lisbon, we changed it around a little bit.

“We have changed our formation at different times during the European run and, if we have to do so again, then we are quite capable of handling that.”

Fixture plans revealed yesterday 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 tomorrow night’s 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.”

Smith has been warned by Everton boss David Moyes about the size of the task Rangers face over the two legs after the Toffees exited the tournament on penalties at the hands of Fiorentina in the last 16.

He said: “I’ve spoken to David with regard to the game and he thought he was very unfortunate, especially in the second game, not to go through.

“But he also impressed upon me what a good team he thought Fiorentina were and he left me in no doubt that they are an exceptionally good team.

“Outside the Champions League games we’ve had, I felt Werder Bremen were an exceptionally good team and I would put Fiorentina on a par with them.

“They have shown that this season with their league campaign, where they currently look as though they could qualify for the Champions League above AC Milan, which is a terrific achievement for them.”

Adrian Mutu supplied the goals that sent PSV Eindhoven crashing out in the last round but Smith admits the individual skills of the former Chelsea star are not all he has to worry about.

“I always think it’s dangerous to choose one player when you are looking at a team,” he said.

“Fiorentina have a number of players who can cause problems, as we have ourselves. Mutu is someone you respect as having an exceptional level of ability and Fiorentina seem to be bringing out the best in him.

“But I think it would be wrong to say that he’s the only threat that Fiorentina have.”