Smith: Morale not the problem

Walter Smith does not believe a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Liverpool will dent Rangers’ morale ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas.

But he admits the 4-0 thrashing at Ibrox today only highlighted the fact that Rangers are nowhere near the level they need to be as they bid to salvage their European hopes.

Rangers were held to a drab goalless draw by Kaunas at the same venue midweek and were hoping the visit of the Premier League giants would provide a much-needed edge to their game ahead of next week’s make-or-break clash in Lithuania.

“I don’t think the morale aspect has got anything to do with it, it was a friendly game, and I don’t think the morale will be a problem,” said Smith.

“The problem is getting back to a level of play that will allow us to compete in a better manner.

“We have to get up and playing – there is no running away from that – and we have to do it very quickly.

“It was evident in the first half hour of the game on Wednesday that we weren’t up there. We’ve got a bit to do to pick up on and we have to do it quickly.”

Liverpool had the strike partnership of Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres - worth a combined £40million – on show for the first time today but Smith refused to use the gulf in finances between the two clubs as an excuse.

He said: “It’s been like that for years and there is no point complaining about it. We have managed to compete in a better manner beforehand so it’s no excuse.

“We know that situation is there and we have handled it better in previous matches, even in pre-season games last year.

“It’s just a fact we have to face that we are not reaching the same level as we did do even in the early part of last season.”

New striker David Ngog opened his account for the Reds after Torres claimed the only goal of the first half.

Yossi Benayoun then found the back of the net, before Xabi Alonso completed the rout from the penalty spot.

Smith admitted: “We didn’t take a lot from the game, apart from the fact that we were well-beaten.

“There were no excuses from our own point of view. The first part of the game was the best part for us, the second half we were poor.

“Overall, Liverpool were better and I’ve got no complaints about the result - they could have scored more actually.

“There was a balance to be achieved there in the sense of bringing an edge to our game for the Champions League game.

“When we we look at the result today, we were probably better not to have a game! We’ve had the game and it was a disappointing result and performance for us.”

Meanwhile, Smith believes the combined talents of Keane and Torres will boost Liverpool’s title hopes for the new season.

He said: “They are two good players and Liverpool are going to benefit, although it may mean a change in emphasis for them in terms of the way they’ve played in the last couple of seasons.

“They’ve got good players overall and I think they have an opportunity to be challenging for the title next season, as much as finishing in the top four.

“I think they can push forward and Torres and Keane could give them that edge.”