Source: Team_Talk
Smith happy with Gers youngsters
Walter Smith praised his younger players as Rangers booked their place in the semi-finals of the Co-op Cup with a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock.[LNB] Andrew Little was one of several youngsters who took part in Wednesday night's tie at Rugby Park and he made the most of his opportunity by grabbing his first goal of the season, before Steven Naismith sealed the win for the holders.[LNB]Gregg Wylde made his first start for Rangers, while Kyle Hutton was thrown into the action in the second half as Smith tried to utilise his small squad just days after their Old Firm derby triumph.[LNB]He said: "One of the awkward things about Andrew Little is pinning him down to one position because he can play in so many.[LNB]"It was a fantastic goal from him and all the younger players acquitted themselves well tonight. I was pleased for them. They are all keen to be involved and I'm happy they are doing well enough."[LNB]But Smith admits his plans were hampered somewhat when Kyle Lafferty took ill ahead of the match and Andy Webster, set for only his second appearance this term, was ruled out through injury.[LNB]That meant the Light Blues boss was unable to make as many changes as he would have liked with another important Champions League game in Valencia looming next week.[LNB]Smith said: "I had a few more to rest than I thought I would. One or two are injured and sickness to Kyle Lafferty meant I wasn't able to rest as many as I wanted."[LNB]The win means Rangers join Celtic, Aberdeen and Motherwell in Friday's draw for the semi-final, with the Ibrox side still unbeaten in all competitions so far this season.[LNB]Smith said: "I was pleased to get through the game. We made a few changes and it's not always easy when you do that so I was pleased with the result. We seem to be going well just now and it's just a matter of keeping that going."[LNB]The 2-0 win was not quite as comfortable as Rangers would have hoped for, with Kilmarnock having an early effort ruled offside, hitting the post and spurning several other decent chances.[LNB]Boss Mixu Paatelainen rued those missed opportunities but remained confident their luck will change soon.[LNB]"If you take your chances, defend well and keep a clean-sheet, you will win matches," he said.[LNB]"There were plenty of positives in our play but we didn't put away our chances. To be fair, their first goal was fantastic, take nothing away from that, but we must do better.[LNB]"That's where we are - we need to improve. It's a slow curve but we will get there eventually."
