Naismith - plenty to play for

03 December 2010 09:30

Steven Naismith insists Rangers' final Champions League clash of the season against Bursaspor is far from a meaningless encounter for the Scottish champions.

Walter Smith's men head into the final Group C game unable to progress to the last 16 of the competition, with the top two spots going to Manchester United and Valencia. Regardless of the result in Turkey on Tuesday night, Rangers know they have also secured a Europa League place after Christmas, with Bursaspor bottom of the section.

But Naismith said: "If you look at it, the cash we would get if we came out on top in Turkey could allow us to bring in another player in January if the manager was to get it. When you consider that, you could actually say it's a really big match for us and we know that."

He added: "We work so hard throughout the season to get into the Champions League that I don't think you could say any games in the competition are meaningless.

"Regardless of whether we are out or not, we all want to be involved because it's a great feeling when you're on that pitch playing in such a big event.

"There's a lot to play for from the point of view a win would help our co-efficient and give us prize money. The manager will pick the team he wants to feature in Turkey and we will be going for all three points so that we finish on a high."

Rangers went all the way to the UEFA Cup final two years ago and, having impressed at times in the Champions League this term, Naismith says they have nothing to fear in the Europa League.

He told Rangers News: "Now we have the Europa League to look ahead to and there are plus points we can take into that tournament.

"We will definitely be confident. We have competed against two of the best teams in the world in Manchester United and Valencia and I don't think we have looked out of place.

"After creating chances against both of them, we have something to build on and we'll be optimistic in the new year."

Source: PA