Source: Team_Talk
Smith concerned by Gers impotency
The Scottish champions were held to their third successive goalless draw in the SPL when Aberdeen left Ibrox with a point, having been held by Kilmarnock and Motherwell in their previous outings.[LNB]Rangers have now failed to find the back of the net in the league in 293 minutes of football and Smith concedes his side are nowhere near the level which saw them clinch a domestic double last term.[LNB]He said: "It's something that has been with us for the last two or three games and we have not quite reached the levels of last season in the final third of the pitch.[LNB]"The last three matches in the league have been 0-0 and we have had a lot of opportunities to do better in the area that counts and haven't done so.[LNB]"It's something we will have to look at. It's causing a bit of concern. We only hope things click into place soon."[LNB]Last season's top goalscorer Kris Boyd was dropped to the bench for the visit of the Dons and Smith explained: "The last two games were 0-0 draws so we thought we would freshen things up a little bit in that area."[LNB]Steven Davis was ruled out with flu, while a hamstring injury kept Sasa Papac out of the action.[LNB]Smith is now waiting to learn whether both will be fit for Tuesday's Champions League game against Sevilla, followed by the first Old Firm derby of the season next weekend.[LNB]Reflecting on the game, he added: "I felt we started very well and we were very bright in the first half hour and we had the best opportunities to score in that period.[LNB]"As the game went on, Aberdeen grew in confidence as you would expect and were dangerous at set-plays. We are disappointed overall not to get the goal but you have to give Aberdeen credit for defending well."[LNB]Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee felt the performance and result answered their critics in the wake of their League Cup exit to Irn-Bru First Division side Dundee in midweek, with Dons legend Joe Harper branding the players "bottlers."[LNB]McGhee said: "I was so disappointed, and the supporters were disappointed and angry, that we lost the Dundee game in the circumstances that we did.[LNB]"The supporters came here today with a big question mark over the squad and they answered their critics. There were accusations of not having the bottle, which I ridiculed immediately.[LNB]"They put in a disciplined and organised performance and stood up to be counted today. For the first time, we almost have something to build on."[LNB]McGhee believes Aberdeen could even have snatched victory had referee Iain Brines pointed to the penalty spot when Lee Miller went to ground under pressure from David Weir shortly before half-time.[LNB]"I thought it was a stonewaller and so did his team-mates," he said. "But Lee Miller says it was 50/50 so we will take his word for it."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
