Source: Team_Talk
Smith relieved to avoid Euro hangover
Walter Smith expressed his relief after Rangers put in what he rates as their best performance of the season to beat Dundee United 4-0.[LNB] Smith felt their efforts in Europe last term had a negative impact on their league form and was concerned the goalless stalemate at Manchester United in midweek could hamper their chances against Dundee United.[LNB]However, he believes the 4-0 win at Ibrox was Rangers' best showing of the season so far as they moved into pole position in the SPL ahead of Celtic's game against Kilmarnock on Sunday.[LNB]"The Champions League games are ones, for us, where you need to expend a lot of energy," he said.[LNB]"There is mental tiredness as well because you need to keep a level of concentration for a hell of a long period so you always concern yourself a little.[LNB]"Last season, we dropped a number of points after coming back from Champions League games and you are aware of that aspect. So we are delighted with the way things turned out."[LNB]A Sean Dillon own-goal set the ball rolling early on, before Kenny Miller doubled the advantage. Steven Naismith then came off the bench to find the back of the net and Miller completed the win with his second of the day late one.[LNB]Smith added: "We are pleased with the win. I felt overall it was probably our best league performance since we started the season and we were delighted by the way we played.[LNB]"Dundee United have always been awkward opponents for us and that was a good win for us today. I felt we started the game very well.[LNB]"Halfway through the first half, Dundee United started to come into the game and it was our poorest period of the match until half-time, and we started the second half well again.[LNB]"That's the best spell we've had since the season started and we are delighted, especially on the back of a tough Champions League game."[LNB]Miller's brace took his tally to eight goals in five SPL outings, with the striker scoring in every league game so far, as well as netting for Scotland against Liechtenstein.[LNB]"He played very well again," said Smith.[LNB]"Being a striker and getting in among the goals, I don't think you feel any kind of tiredness if you're scoring and in important form.[LNB]"It was another good performance from him today and some good goals. It'll take a little bit of time for him to settle in with Nikica Jelavic.[LNB]"Vladimir Weiss is also new to our squad and it will take a number of games for things to settle down."[LNB]United boss Peter Houston was disappointed with the lack of fight his players showed after Rangers' second goal.[LNB]"For 70 minutes, we were right in the game," he said.[LNB]"We did okay, we had plenty of possession and a couple of sniffs at goal but after the second goal we retreated and accepted defeat and that was disappointing.[LNB]"We need to get mentally tough and get back into the game, rather than accept defeat."[LNB]Houston revealed afterwards that defender Garry Kenneth was forced out of the action at half-time with a calf injury, while David Goodwillie was withdrawn late on after suffering a knock that has yet to be fully assessed.
