Monday, September 28, 2009

Smith seeks Gers home advantage

Champions League
Venue: Ibrox Date: Tuesday 29 Sept Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website & BBC Radio Scotland MW


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Smith won't settle for Sevilla draw

Manager Walter Smith has urged his Rangers side to make home advantage count in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Sevilla.

The Spanish side, who are third in La Liga, have started the season strongly.

"They have been very steady the last few seasons and they have a good squad. I would consider them to be favourites for our group," said the Rangers boss.

"It will be a difficult game for us but we are always hopeful that we can get a win in a home match."

Rangers have struggled in front of goal in recent weeks, playing out three consecutive goalless draws in the Scottish Premier League and edging Queen of the South 2-1 in the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Meanwhile, Sevilla limbered up for the Champions League encounter with an impressive 4-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.

Despite their contrasting domestic form, Smith believes the Light Blues must make the most of the match being at Ibrox.

If we have any thoughts of progressing to the final stages of the Champions League we have to take advantage of our home games

Rangers manager Walter Smith

"If we have any thoughts of progressing to either the final stages of the Champions League or indeed into the Europa League we have to take advantage of our home games," he said.

With a trimmer squad than in previous European campaigns, Smith does not have the luxury afforded to Sevilla manager Manola Jimenez, who may rotate his squad for the Group G match ahead of their home match against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Asked if he thought Jimenez was being disrespectful to the Scottish champions, Smith said: "When you look at his squad of players he has every right to do what he wants with his team.

"I don't think he weakens his team by changing it. They have achieved their success over the last few seasons with a good group of players.

"They have changed their team - not greatly - over the last few matches, but they have changed players and they have shown it has no great effect on their overall performance."

Smith's opinions on what might be an acceptable result differ from those of Lee McCulloch, who said he would settle for a point on Tuesday.

The Ibrox side opened their Champions League campaign with a draw in Stuttgart and the versatile Rangers star would settle for the same again.

"Sevilla are a quality team and it's going to be very, very hard for us to get a result," said McCulloch, who can operate in defence and midfield.

"Against that sort of opposition, I think a point would be all right."

McCulloch was frustrated by Saturday's stalemate at home to Aberdeen and knows his team-mates must improve to pose a threat to the Spaniards.

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"We won't be going out to draw the game but Sevilla are massive favourites to win the group and we will be looking to win our other two games at home," added McCulloch.

"Everyone is looking forward to it. Defensively we're sound at the moment, we're just missing that bit in the final third."

Sevilla top Champions League Group G following a comfortable 2-0 home win over Romanian side Unirea Urziceni.

Rangers will have influential midfielder Pedro Mendes back, following a domestic suspension, and will also hope to have Steven Davis and Sasa Papac fit after the pair missed the draw with the Dons.

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