Rangers boss Walter Smith is hoping he and Sir Alex Ferguson can taste European success, but laughed off talk he could be set for a knighthood.The Ibrox side play Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14.

A week later Ferguson's Manchester United play Chelsea in the Champions League final in Moscow.

Smith, who had a spell as assistant to Ferguson at Old Trafford in the 2003/04 season, is hoping two Scots managers will win their respective finals but will not be expecting another invitation to Buckingham Palace if he succeeds.

The former Scotland boss, who has already been awarded an OBE, said: "It would be great if we both did it.

"I certainly hope Sir Alex can win his final and I certainly hope I can as well.

"But we know the task that Rangers face against Zenit.

"We are playing a team that is roughly the same level as the sides we have played in the Champions League earlier in the season so that is how difficult a task it is."

Asked about the possibility of emulating the United boss if a European trophy arrives back at Ibrox for the first time in 36 years, Smith laughed: "I certainly don't think so.

"Sir Alex's achievements are greater than anybody's - period."

Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar, who will pick up the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year award on Sunday night, insists his decision to move from Osasuna last summer has been vindicated by the club's success in reaching the UEFA Cup final.

And the popular Spaniard, who has been linked with a move to Newcastle, revealed he is now getting some attention from the football fraternity in Spain.

"When you move from the best league in the world to another one, people say you are crazy." he said.

"But here I have the opportunity to play in the Champions League and the opportunity to win the league, the UEFA Cup and the Scottish Cup.

"If you play for Barcelona and Real Madrid you may have these opportunities but if you are involved with one of the other teams then you don't have the chance.

"Now we have the possibility of making history. Every newspaper, radio and TV station in Spain has been calling me for an interview."

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