Source: Team_Talk
Rotation is not on Smith's mind
Rangers' Champions League opponents Bursaspor may be able to make mass changes ahead of Wednesday but Walter Smith says he has no such luxury.[LNB] The Turkish champions were already at an advantage for the Ibrox meeting, as far as Smith was concerned, after playing their Super Lig game against Bucaspor on Friday night, while Rangers faced a trip to Aberdeen on Sunday.[LNB]Bursaspor coach Ertugrul Saglam - no doubt still reeling from their 4-0 defeat to Valencia on matchday one - claimed he could change his entire team for last night's game from the side which faced Gaziantepspor in a match which was abandoned following crowd trouble.[LNB]In the end, he made seven changes for the 1-0 win that kept them top of the Super Lig, but Smith insists his compact squad means he has no option but to field his strongest side at Pittodrie and that means limited changes from previous SPL outings.[LNB]"In a domestic sense we always have to do well so we will pick the team that we think will help us go and win the game," he said.[LNB]"We've got a small group of players and all the boys know they will get an opportunity to play when we feel it's best for them."[LNB]Asked if the European clash will affect his team selection for Sunday, the Rangers boss replied: "No, the thing that will[LNB]influence the team selection more than anything else is the fact we've not done enough up there over the last few years.[LNB]"That will be the biggest influence. We have to make sure that we try to get the win there that we haven't been able to do."[LNB]Striker Kenny Miller's eight goals in five league games already this season meant he was the first name on the team sheet for the trip to Aberdeen, but he is also the man Smith turns to in the European arena, whether opting for a lone frontman or two-man attack.[LNB]That could mean little respite for the club's top goalscorer over the coming days, with an away game against Hearts also looming next weekend.[LNB]"That's just the way it is," said Smith. "He doesn't want to miss the games either.[LNB]"He was looking to play in the League Cup game the other night as well. If he's on the run of form that he's on in terms of scoring, he will want to keep that going.[LNB]"If strikers are scoring goals, they don't bother when the games come along or how they're feeling, they just go out on the pitch and look forward to it and he's in that kind of form at the moment."[LNB]Full-back Kirk Broadfoot believes having a more close-knit side could actually benefit Rangers, insisting: "Personally, I think you're better getting a run of games and getting some momentum scoring goals.[LNB]"We seem to have some momentum and hopefully we can take it into Sunday and forward to Wednesday.[LNB]"It could help us that we're close, but we know they'll be a good side with quality players and they'll be taking it very seriously. They obviously think we're a team they can beat."[LNB]Broadfoot's own confidence should be sky high, if selected for the visit of Bursaspor, after earning plaudits for his display in the goalless draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.[LNB]"Personally, it was a very good performance, but it was more of a team performance," he said.[LNB]"We had jobs to do and tactically the manager got it right. We've taken a bit of criticism for it, but we just have to live with that.[LNB]"There are not many teams who will go to Old Trafford and come away with a point, so we were delighted with that."
