Source: PA
Depleted Rangers earn Smith seal of approval
Rangers manager Walter Smith praised his threadbare side for producing a 2-0 victory against Aberdeen as his injury worries continue to mount.
He was able to name just six substitutes for the visit of the Dons in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash, with Maurice Edu and Sasa Papac already ruled out and Kyle Lafferty a late addition to the injury list.
Steven Naismith and Kirk Broadfoot are now nursing knocks after the win at Ibrox, with Smith still waiting to learn whether Naismith will be a doubt for Scotland's friendly against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.
He said: "We were a little bit depleted but our group responded very well and I felt they played well. We introduced one or two players and John Fleck came in and had a good game. So, from our own point of view, we've got to be pleased with the way we managed to handle it."
Goals from Kenny Miller and Vladimir Weiss sealed the win that allowed Rangers to move four points clear at the top of the SPL, with Miller also failing to convert from the penalty spot.
Smith added: "The game, the way it went, wasn't unexpected. We expected Aberdeen to play in a manner that we do ourselves in the European games so you are always pleased to get a breakthrough. I was pleased with the way we went about the game and just happy that we managed to win."
