smith’s team selection will not be influenced by wednesday’s european final
Rangers players will be focused for United game
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Walter Smith is confident the Uefa Cup final will not act as a distraction when Rangers play host to Dundee United in today’s crucial Premier League game at Ibrox.
With the European showdown looming on Wednesday, Smith’s players could be forgiven for allowing themselves to look ahead to an occasion they may never experience again in their careers.
The Rangers manager insists too much is at stake tomorrow to even contemplate the clash with Zenit St Petersburg next week.
A win against United would slash Celtic’s lead at the summit to a single point ahead of the champions’ own match with Hibernian tomorrow.
Rangers would then have a game in hand still to play.
Both halves of the Old Firm are keenly aware there is no further room for error in the title race – even if that does mean putting the Uefa Cup on the back-burner for now.
Smith said: “The importance of the league championship is a big thing for anyone and I think, this season, we have been focused enough.
“I don’t think we need any warnings about not focusing on tomorrow’s game – everybody knows exactly what it means. We saw the other night against Motherwell from the crowd reaction alone just how much they want to get behind the team and want them to win.”
Smith says his team selection for the visit of Craig Levein’s men will not be influenced by the Uefa Cup final and he plans to field his strongest side.
He said: “The boys want to play. They have shown, physically, they are handling it and I think they are getting there mentally now as well.”
Dundee United manager Craig Levein has rejected suggestions that weekend opponents Rangers may already have one eye on the Uefa Cup final.
Levein said: “Walter is far too experienced in management to let his players take their eye off the ball.
“Both the championship and the Uefa Cup are really important for them.
“They have got two massive games over the next few days and they will be fully focused on both – I’m sure of that.”
