Source: Team_Talk
Smith calls for Levein common sense
Rangers manager Walter Smith has no concerns about Scotland's friendly against the Faroe Islands next week.[LNB] The game falls in the middle of one of the club's busiest periods.[LNB]Smith fully expects national team boss Craig Levein to take Rangers' hectic schedule into account as he prepares to name his squad for the match at Pittodrie next Tuesday.[LNB]Levein has already hinted several Rangers players could be rested following their exertions in the Champions League and Smith believes other national team coaches will adopt a similar approach.[LNB]"I think Craig will take that into account," said the Ibrox boss.[LNB]"I don't think he will leave them all out but we will just have to wait and see who Craig picks and what his idea of the game is.[LNB]"We have other lads away at international level, not just the Scottish ones, and I think every one of their managers are aware that the players are playing a fair number of games and, due to the fact they are friendlies, will show a bit more care.[LNB]"A lot of players at this time of the season need games but ours have had quite a number."[LNB]Levein says he could introduce several new faces, with some of the under-21 side who recently missed out on next summer's European Championships expected to make the step up.[LNB]Former Scotland boss Smith added: "Having been an international manager, you realise why Craig will take the friendlies.[LNB]"I think the majority of international managers will be looking at players that they have been watching and have never had an opportunity to play.[LNB]"I would imagine it would be that type of game but we'll just have to wait and see what Craig's idea of that is."[LNB]Domestic duties combined with their efforts on the European stage have left Rangers looking flat in recent games, according to Smith.[LNB]But he warned they will need to be back to their best again for the visit of Hibernian tomorrow night and Aberdeen at the weekend.[LNB]"It's a mental thing as much as anything else," he said.[LNB]"We have been a little bit flat at times in parts of games we have played.[LNB]"That's a natural thing with not having a big group and asking the same boys to play all the time.[LNB]"In fairness to them, they show a good reaction to that. In the first half of the game at St Mirren for instance, they were a little bit flat.[LNB]"We had plenty of possession of the ball but never really did enough to threaten the goal.[LNB]"But just after half-time, we were excellent and managed to get the goals that eventually won us the game. These are things that we have to overcome.[LNB]"The two games that we have this week, against Hibs and Aberdeen, will be difficult ones and we know we can't afford anything like that."[LNB]Meanwhile, Smith praised the efforts of Steven Naismith after he was named Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month for October.[LNB]He said: "He's got a great attitude and the boy is a joy to work with. He's been excellent, not only for us, but also for the national team.[LNB]"I'm just pleased he is getting the spotlight placed on him at the moment and he deserves it. Nobody works harder in the games.[LNB]"His attitude to training is terrific and we are all pleased he is getting the recognition he is getting with his player of the month award."
