Smith hopes Gers hit back

How much will Euro heartache take out of Rangers?

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th May 2008

walter smith rangers uefa cup

Smith: Misery in Manchester

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Walter Smith is hoping that Rangers' Uefa Cup final defeat does not derail their end of season run-in.

The Gers slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg on a disappointing European night at the City of Manchester Stadium.

However, despite Wednesday's heartache Smith's side can still wrap up an impressive treble should they go on to take the SPL title and Scottish FA Cup in the coming weeks.

The former Scotland boss admits that his squad feel despondent at the moment, but is confident that they will pick themselves up for the remaining four fixtures of a remarkable 2007/08 campaign.

Recovery

"Obviously it'll be difficult to judge how much the disappointment takes out of them," Smith said.

"But we have an opportunity with four games to go to win two (more) trophies.

"We hope they can overcome the disappointment of tonight's game and not let it affect them too badly."

Smith saw his side put up a brave fight against Zenit in Manchester, but insists that he has already set his sights on putting things right on the domestic stage.

"There's no way we can say we didn't want to do well in the Uefa Cup," he said.

"We're obviously disappointed to lose this evening but we have the opportunity to make up for this in the next few days."

Title

Rangers' immediate target is to snatch the SPL title away from arch-rivals Celtic - and Smith admits that taking the league crown has become their priority.

"It's the most important thing now," he added.

"If we can win our next three games we'll be champions and obviously we'll be happy with that."

Newly-crowned Uefa Cup holders Zenit are managed by former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, and the Dutchman felt that his side were deserving of the victory on the night.

"I think, especially second-half, when we keep playing the passing game we caused a lot of energy and we saw a moment open and we scored two brilliant goals," he said.

"Over 90 minutes I think we were the better team and deserved to win."

Comments

Rodney Marshall says...

The final revealed a gulf (not a gap) in class between a fantastic Russian side and a 'solid' Scottish one. You cannot prepare for a match like this by playing the likes of St Mirren, Inverness or Gretna...fine for a marriage but not the sort of place - or league - to get you ready to beat a class act like Zenit. It will now be uphill all the way to win the SPL.

Posted 21:40 15th May 2008

Iain Dey (Rangers fan) says...

How can any Rangers supporter bad mouth the Gers for losing the european cup final. They played a game on the Saturday and where expected to be fully recovered for the Wedensday, I dont think so. Zenith had a hole week off to prepair for that game. If anyone is to blame then it must lie with the SFA.

Posted 21:31 15th May 2008

Eddie Millar (Rangers fan) says...

Thought we missed a glorious chance - were on top first 15 mins of second half.... should have brought novo and boydy on before they scored..... but think Walter got scared to change things until was too late.... never mind - at least we are back to where we belong - remember 16 months ago, we were 5th in league.... knocked out of cup by dunfermline, league cup by st johnstone and generally a laughing stock...... in 9 days time we could win the treble and made a European final... and all in our own hands....... so fingers crossed so to all bluenoses.... hold your heads up high.... and keep the faith!

Posted 15:02 15th May 2008

Steve Dale says...

Absolute disgrace. I was watching the game last night, being english i found it hard to support Rangers! Negative performance playing out for extra time and penalties, but all i keep hearing about is a brave performance! How is that whenever any scottish team plays and dosen't win its called brave?! And as for the trouble afterwards, i am sure if that was an english club we would be kicking them out of any european competition, why not for Rangers!

Posted 13:22 15th May 2008

Andrew Mcgregor (Manchester United fan) says...

Poor night alround for Rangers on and off the pitch. They never looked like scoring a goal let alone winning the match. Out-thought and outplayed. Despite the fact that a small minority is being blamed for the problems after the game it is still totally unacceptable behaviour whether its 2 fans or 2000.

Posted 12:42 15th May 2008

Anton Anderson (Preston North End fan) says...

Immense support from your fans last night especially in the town centre ,what a buzzing atmosphere! Unlucky result but good luck with the rest of your season!

Posted 12:14 15th May 2008

Chris Jenkins says...

Absolute disgrace from Rangers. I am a Rangers fan. How can a team in a European Cup Final play have the mentality to play for extratime and penalties. Rangers have only themselves to blame and blew their only chance of European glory for the next 10 or 20 yrs

Posted 01:33 15th May 2008

Christopher Burns (Rangers fan) says...

Come on Gers, we were unlucky, brave performance and one we can be proud of! Lets bounce back from this and win a fantastic treble! It will still be a great season if u look back to when PLG was the manager and we were horrendous! Lets do it lads!!!

Posted 23:33 14th May 2008

Andy Joseph (Rangers fan) says...

Come on Bears. We can bounce back from this and still go on and win the league. We have had a fantastic season and no one expected us to reach a European final. Let's dust ourselves down and see off Celtic's challenge once and for all.

Posted 23:22 14th May 2008

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