Sunday, April 25, 2010

Rangers boss still unsure of future

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Title win 'a wee bit special' - Smith

Rangers manager Walter Smith gave no hints about his future after overseeing a second straight Scottish Premier League championship win.

Smith, whose side beat Hibernian to clinch the title, has been working without a contract since January.

And when asked about the future, Smith told BBC Scotland: "I don't know. I'll just enjoy this evening.

"It's a tremendous feeling. I think our players thoroughly deserve it for the work they've put in over the season."

Kyle Lafferty's solitary strike was enough to give Rangers the win they needed, with the Ibrox side now 11 points clear of nearest challengers Celtic with three games to play.

"I thought at stages of the game we weren't going to do it but we did and that's fantastic," said Smith.

I think that depends on a number of factors not just for Walter but for many others at the football club

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain on Walter Smith's future

"It's always nice to win, especially back-to-back championships. I think the sign of a good team and a good spirit is that you can go on and win at least another one and we've managed to do that.

"Our players are tired, they're feeling it but they got there in the end."

Captain David Weir continued his ever-present appearance record in league matches and Smith paid tribute to the resilience of his squad.

"It's absolutely amazing that he's done that but in many ways that typifies everybody else in our group," added the Rangers boss.

"They've all dug in, they've all applied themselves to anything that they've been asked to do. It's been a pleasure working with the group as we have done over last two or three years."

Smith, now in his second spell at the Ibrox helm, has won nine titles as Rangers manager and chief executive Martin Bain praised the impact of the 62-year-old

"Walter Smith, his assistants and the whole team have performed tremendously well," said Bain.

"A second championship in a row, six trophies and a European final in three years. I don't think you can get any better and I don't think there's a club in the world that wouldn't take that if offered them so all testament to Walter and his team. It's just been fantastic."

And Bain was just as unsure about what the future holds for Smith.

"I think that depends on a number of factors," the chief executive said.

"I think it depends not just for Walter but for many others at the football club.

"We've had our critics this season. We know that we've got great spirit and determination. We know that we can go on to further success but there's a number of factors that have to be discussed and until we get answers to some of those factors then we won't know what's happening."

The title win could take Rangers straight into the group stages of the Champions League, with only the advent of Lyon winning that trophy likely to force the Ibrox side into the qualifiers.

And with participation in this season's premier European tournament helping Rangers to a substantial financial turnaround, more cash will ease the debts of around £30m the Glasgow club have built up in recent years.

In February, Rangers, who are seeking new owners, announced half-year profits of more than £13m, thanks mainly to Champions League involvement.

"It's huge, it's absolutely huge," added Bain.

"It's where our team wants to be, it's where the supporters want to be and as Scottish football finds itself in times when maybe it's not so easy to qualify, to actually qualify for it this season is hugely important to the football club."

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