Source: Team_Talk
Gers take cups seriously - Smith
Walter Smith insists an impressive record in the cup competitions since his return to Rangers is proof of how seriously they take them.[LNB] Their Co-op Cup defence kicks off with the visit of First Division leaders Dunfermline and the holders say they have no intention of underestimating their opponents in Tuesday night's third-round tie at Ibrox.[LNB]Defeat to Dundee United in last season's Scottish Cup quarter-final is the only real blot on Rangers' copy book since Smith took over the helm in January 2007, having reached the final in every other cup run.[LNB]"We have shown that we want to do well in the tournament and progress," said the Ibrox boss.[LNB]"Since I came back, we have been in all the finals that we could have been in. The Scottish Cup is the same, we have only lost to Dundee United and we reached the final in previous seasons.[LNB]"We take the cup ties very seriously and will do so again tomorrow night. We will try to keep our approach the same for every[LNB]game that we play and hopefully we can go out and win.[LNB]"We have managed to do that in the majority of cup ties we have had and hopefully we can keep that going."[LNB]He added: "They are all dangerous cup ties. Regardless of what position the teams are in, they always enjoy a game against the Old Firm.[LNB]"Not only does it bring them a level of finance, it's a good scalp for them to get. We are aware of that. We don't get cup ties that are easy.[LNB]"Hopefully the home draw will help us a little bit against Dunfermline but we know we will have to play extremely well against a side who have been steadily improving since the financial crisis there a few years ago.[LNB]"They are one of Scotland's bigger clubs and it's shame to see them down there in the First Division, I always think they should be in the SPL."[LNB]The League Cup is the first silverware up for grabs in Scotland and, although keen to retain the trophy, Smith refused to be drawn on talk of a domestic treble in his final season as manager at such an early stage in the campaign.[LNB]"You don't look that far ahead," he said.[LNB]"We've got a long season to go in the Champions League and the domestic games.[LNB]"We set out every season to try and do as well as we possibly can in every one of the tournaments, whether it be my first season as manager or whatever. We just want to do well."[LNB]Meanwhile, Smith confirmed the club has opened contract talks with Sasa Papac, who is in the final year of his current deal and who has expressed a desire to remain in Glasgow.[LNB]He said: "The lads whose contracts are running out, we have been in discussions with most of them to try and renew their contracts.[LNB]"A lot of them are at different stages and Sasa is one we have just started to speak to regarding renewing his contract. As with the majority of the boys, once we start, we hope we can finalise that."
