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Smith glad to bypass qualifiers

Fri 12 Jun, 02:50 PM


Walter Smith is "absolutely delighted" that Rangers will not face potential Champions League embarrassment again next season by going straight in to the group stages.

The Light Blues' European aspirations ended at the first hurdle last season with a defeat in the qualifiers to Lithuanian minnows FBK Kaunas, but they recovered to win a Clydesdale Bank Premier League and Scottish Cup double with their first title win in four years guaranteeing them Champions League group stage entry.

"Apart from the initial delight of winning the championship, when you sit down and analyse exactly what it means, everybody focuses on the amount of money that there is (in reaching the Champions League)," Smith told Rangers World.

"But avoiding these qualification games is a major, major factor.

"They are not nice games to be involved in.

"When you maybe have a few changes to your squad, or, like our team last year, a slightly slow start after the rigours of the previous season, then important games coming so soon as they do is very awkward.

"So I'm absolutely delighted that we are not involved in the two qualifying rounds.

"In previous years it has turned out all right at times for us but they have not been that pleasant."

 

Comment 7 - 26 of 26

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  1. #24 Fair play to you,its nice to hear some constructive­ words for a change,rather than just slaggin each other­ off,hopefully next season we will see a better run in­ europe,and in the spl

    From METZ, on Sat 13 Jun 5:17PM

  2. Run along now Ginger and don't be a sexist twerp in­ front of the children,its so unappealing LOL

    From Jane, on Sat 13 Jun 4:14PM

  3. I'll admit it because a lot of the time wee­ chesney's tactics were abysmal away from home. In­ the end I think he just gave up tactically. Thing is,­ there's no way any Celtic fan would put up with one­ attacker up front - Especially at home - The way­ Rangers did. Surely you can't have been happy to­ watch that? It got you to a cup final and then once you­ are there, defend for the whole game. Surely once you­ are there you give it your all?
    Celtic had an extra­ impetus at home and that's why we beat big teams -­ Away from home it just didn't work. I think that is­ why we should go for a European manager to take it to­ the next level. Wee Gord went as far as he could.­ Attacking flowing football has to come first, then­ victories... That's why I was a Celtic Fan at 4.

    From NokturnalKelt, on Sat 13 Jun 1:32PM

  4. Jane apart from #18 no1 else has the bottle to admit­ they were shi*e,so well done nokturn,at least you can­ see the picture

    From METZ, on Sat 13 Jun 12:29PM

  5. 16 - Jane, I don't mind you talking dirty in the­ bedroom, but please wash you mouth out on here!! LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 11:26PM

  6. 15 - that's because you typed in HARD... ON...­ Confuses it with a tough Aberdeen supporter, you see!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 11:25PM

  7. 13 - Stuart, he's confused!! disnae know whether­ tae smear his rimpiece wi' VASELINE or WINDOLENE!!­ LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 11:24PM

  8. Metz the silence is deafening see the tumbleweed roll­ on by

    From Jane, on Fri 12 Jun 9:36PM

  9. Fair enough the away record was pish, but that's­ because we wouldn't resort to a flat back 5 with 5­ in midfield, or the occasional 5-4-1 that waller plays.­ Celtic Park was still a fortress and beat the best in­ Europe. Seem to remember man united's training game­ at mordor a few years back.

    From NokturnalKelt, on Fri 12 Jun 8:28PM

  10. Jane,thats a blinder!!!!!! Hadn`t even thought bout­ that one!!!!!!!!!!! C`mon you tic,wanna discuss this?

    From METZ, on Fri 12 Jun 8:18PM

  11. Anybody want to chat about Celtics away record in­ Europe haahahahahaha.Lookin forward to the playoffs I­ expect they will be hahahahahah.

    From Jane, on Fri 12 Jun 7:26PM

  12. Why did they censor the word h a r d ?

    From NokturnalKelt, on Fri 12 Jun 7:14PM

  13. Neil Lennon?! Aye, and Lafferty is a handsome devil­ isn't he? He's only missing the bolt through­ the neck. Can't understand why you are being @#$%­ Neil Lennon when he gave good service to rangers­ international.

    From NokturnalKelt, on Fri 12 Jun 7:13PM

  14. PT10...Windae Licker.....Why do u always say things­ that u know will comeback and haunt u....is it the­ windolene that makes u stupid

    From Stuart, on Fri 12 Jun 7:09PM

  15. singing ginger, emulate neil lennon??????? i said he­ supported celtic, i did not say he fell out the ugly­ tree and hit every branch on the way down, rolled onto­ the motorway and had dozens of cars drive over his­ head, as per neil lennon

    From david, on Fri 12 Jun 6:43PM

  16. 9 - WITHOUT A MANAGER, NOT VERY FAR! 10 - In the past 3­ seasons, when did CELTIC finish BOTTOM of their­ group?.. Away and lick some windaes, and o.d. on­ cocopops, ya numpty!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 5:47PM

  17. Point 7, its only celtic who do that

    From Paul G CHAMPIONS, on Fri 12 Jun 5:43PM

  18. & How far do you think that septic will get­ ginger?With no manager?

    From METZ, on Fri 12 Jun 5:42PM

  19. 4 - Welder, is your son trying to emulate Neil Lennon­ then?? LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 5:16PM

  20. Walter Smith is "absolutely delighted" that­­ Rangers will not face potential Champions League­­ embarrassment again next season by going straight in­ to­ the group stages...

    However, he won't be­ quite as­ delighted when rangers finish bottom of their­ group,­ and get embarrassed there instead!! HAIL,­ HAIL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 12 Jun 5:15PM
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