Rangers manager Walter Smith admits reaching the UEFA Cup final would be one of the proudest moments of his career after taking another step closer to the Manchester showcase.

The Ibrox club booked their place in the last four of the competition for the first time - and their first European semi-final for 36 years - after defeating Sporting Lisbon 2-0 in their own back yard on Thursday night.

Smith was the driving force behind the 'nine in a row' campaign and insists going all the way in Europe this season would rank right up there with the best of his achievements.

"It will be [one of my proudest moments] if we manage to get to the final.

"I've been proud of the team all season and the way they've handled the pressure of having to win these games, especially the qualifiers for the Champions League.

"Then the way they handled themselves throughout the Champions League with the obvious disappointments.

"If somebody can tell me that you can take a team and make them like a Barcelona or a Manchester United, it can't be done.

"There are certain ways we have to go about it and we have had a terrific response from everyone in our group in recent weeks.

"It takes the profile of the club up again which is terrific. It's one of the things we've got to do so we're delighted in that respect.

"We've had a good response from everyone and it's great for everyone concerned with Rangers to get to the semi-finals of a major European tournament."

Rangers now face Fiorentina in the semi-finals and Smith say they have no reason to fear anyone.

He said: "They have gained in confidence over the season. It's not often we have to play 16 European games and it will be 18 now.

"They have not only gained a togetherness as a team but also a confidence that they can compete against decent sides. Personally, I'm delighted for them - they are a great bunch to work with."

Rangers now face the prospect of playing a gruelling four games - the double header against Fiorentina, Celtic and Hibernian - in the space of eight days.

Celtic have already voiced their opposition to the Scottish Premier League extending the season, with chief executive Peter Lawwell claiming the integrity of the league would be compromised.

Smith said: "We just have to face that if that's the situation we're placed in, we'll just have to play them.

"We don't know what they (the SPL) will ask us to do. If everyone has been quoted accurately, I think it was against sporting integrity to extend the season. So, far be it from us to go against sporting integrity.

"We will maybe have to play the four games in a week. I'm just delighted we've managed to get to a semi-final and we will just get over any hurdles we have to get over to get the games played."

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