Euro progress thrills Smith
11 Apr 2008 - 07:10:16
Rangers manager Walter Smith hailed a new chapter in the club's history after they reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup following a 2-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon.
Goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Steven Whittaker set up a semi-final tie with Italian side Fiorentina and confirmed their first appearance in the last four of a European tournament since 1972.
"We are delighted to get to the semi-finals of a European competition for the first time in a long time, regardless of who the opposition is," said Smith.
"I thought we played very well, especially early on. We played very well from the start of the game and kept possession of the ball better than we have done in recent games.
"We are delighted to be through and we scored two good goals to get there. The goals were really good and were well worked.
"Whittaker running through like that was a surprising sight and it was also a good finish from Darcheville."
However, the gloss was taken off the 2-0 second leg win after bookings for Kevin Thomson and Barry Ferguson ruled the midfield duo out of the first leg against Fiorentina.
"I was a little bit disappointed to get the bookings," added Smith.
"I felt they were probably deserved although on one or two occasions in the first half similar fouls by the opposition went without yellow cards.
"I was disappointed with that."