Source: Team_Talk
Smith only focused on securing title
Rangers boss Walter Smith insists he has no interest in who finishes second in the Scottish Premier League - as long as his side finish first.[LNB] The Ibrox outfit must now wait at least until the weekend to wrap up the title when they play host to Hearts after Celtic's 2-1 win over Motherwell on Tuesday night.[LNB]As well as delaying the championship celebrations, the Hoops' victory allowed them to move eight points clear of Dundee United ahead of their clash with Rangers on Wednesday evening.[LNB]But, as United boss Peter Houston declared after leading his side into the final of the Scottish Cup at the weekend, they have Celtic in the their sights for the runners-up spot.[LNB]Smith is well aware that other teams still have plenty to play for but says his only concern is ensuring Rangers finish top of the pile.[LNB]He said: "I'm really only concerned about our challenge for first place, that's the thing that concerns me more than anything else.[LNB]"Whatever happens in the league outside that will happen.[LNB]"From our point of view, our concentration is solely on trying to win the two games that will retain us the championship.[LNB]"We have two games to win and we face a really difficult one at Tannadice. Once we get over that one, we can look to the next one.[LNB]"Hopefully we can do well. We lost in the cup tie up there recently and Tannadice has never been an easy place to win at. We are in a good position, a position every other team in the league would like to be in, so we have to just show that we can get over the finishing line.[LNB]"We were hoping we would be in this position at this stage of the season and we have to make the most of it."[LNB]Rangers have endured a few difficult meetings in recent weeks - including their Scottish Cup exit to United - and Smith admits their lofty position at the top of the SPL may have blunted their sharpness.[LNB]He said: "It's totally different from last season when we were behind quite a bit. We were depending on results going our way and, thankfully, they did do.[LNB]"This season, we have been in front for quite a bit and you often concern yourself, because of that aspect of it, that a little bit of an edge comes off your game.[LNB]"That's been a concern of mine because, when I think back, there haven't been that many times before when I've been involved with a team who's won the championship by that many points.[LNB]"Usually there is a bit of pressure on you and teams chasing you so it's totally different from last season. We have to show we can handle it. We got a little bit of a fright [against St Johnstone in] Perth a couple of games ago and that brought us back into focus again."[LNB]Meanwhile, Darren Dods insists the Tannadice dugouts will be filled by the two outstanding managers of the SPL season.[LNB]The United defender is full of admiration for the job Smith has done in his second spell at Ibrox, although he'll be doing all he can to prevent Rangers celebrating back-to-back league titles anytime soon by trying to guide the Tangerines to victory.[LNB]And Dods believes that Smith is the only man capable of beating United's Peter Houston - named top boss for March on Tuesday - to the end of season manager's award next month.[LNB]He said: "It's brilliant for Housty to win the Manager of the Month award and he should be in the running for the overall one at the end of the season.[LNB]"The job he's done has been amazing but he's up against a top manager in Walter Smith. The fact Walter seems to have won another title at Rangers will probably see him get it. And who could complain after the things he's had to put up with?[LNB]"If Rangers win the title in a season where they've not been able to make any signings then that is a remarkable achievement and reflects so well on Walter and his players.[LNB]"But Housty has done a fantastic job as well. We're in the cup final and have a chance of catching Celtic so it's all to play for."[LNB]He added: "It's a big ask to split the Old Firm but it can be done. Realistically, I think we'd have to win all the games we have left and hope Celtic slip up somewhere.[LNB]"But all we can do is our part of that. Win our games and we'll give ourselves a chance.[LNB]"We beat Rangers here in the cup a few weeks ago so, while we know it's going to be tough, we go into the game with confidence."
