Smith cool on Wilson's Reds link

23 April 2010 16:23
Rangers manager Walter Smith has played down reports that Danny Wilson will be sold to Liverpool and then return to Ibrox on loan next season.[LNB] The Scottish champions have confirmed the Premier League giants made an enquiry about the highly-rated 18-year-old defender.[LNB]The youngster, who has made 24 appearances this season, has 14 months left on his existing deal and has yet to agree a new contract with Rangers.[LNB]Reports today suggested the Ibrox side could now strike a deal with Liverpool that would see them sell Wilson in the summer before bringing him back on loan for the new term.[LNB]But Smith - who confirmed the player could be sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a thigh strain - felt such a scenario was unlikely.[LNB]"I don't think that's the case," he said.[LNB]"I don't think in any circumstances would we allow that to happen."[LNB]The club's financial position, and the ongoing uncertainty over a potential takeover, means they could find it difficult to retain key personnel.[LNB]But Smith pointed out that losing players south of the border was a reality for all Scottish clubs and not just Rangers.[LNB]"Everybody knows the situation at the moment," he said.[LNB]"What we are seeing is something that Scottish teams just have to put up with.[LNB]"For years, the Old Firm were in a situation where we could go and take players from other Scottish clubs.[LNB]"Now the English clubs are seeing that they come and take players from Scotland.[LNB]"It's just something that's happening, I don't think it's got anything particularly to do with Rangers' situation."[LNB]Smith has not bought a new player since the arrival of Maurice Edu from Toronto back in August 2008 but reports this week suggest he could be lining up a summer swoop for Hamilton midfielder James McArthur, who is also on Wigan's radar.[LNB]"I can make it quite clear to everybody," said Smith.[LNB]"We don't have an opportunity to sign any players at the present moment. After the season finishes, we might sit down and see where the club is going to go. Any speculation that's there at the present moment is purely that."[LNB]For now, Smith's focus is on retaining the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title when they travel to Hibernian on Sunday.[LNB]Victory at Easter Road would seal a second successive championship, while anything other than a win for Celtic earlier in the day would allow the celebrations to begin before Rangers even kick off in Edinburgh.[LNB]"We look forward to Sunday," said Smith.[LNB]"For a few weeks now, everybody has been telling us we are going to win the league.[LNB]"But this is the first weekend where we have an opportunity to do well knowing that, if we win the game, we win the championship.[LNB]"It's just a matter of keeping going in the manner we have been doing.[LNB]"We have only lost two games this season so they just have to keep working away and doing what they have been doing in the lead-up to this opportunity.[LNB]"Whatever has been beforehand doesn't really count now.[LNB]"This weekend is the opportunity for us and we've got to make sure that we seize that opportunity."

Source: Team_Talk