Source: Team_Talk
Smith demanding domestic focus
Rangers manager Walter Smith is determined to ensure the full focus of his players is on Saturday's SPL game at Hamilton rather than next week.[LNB] The Champions League campaign kicks off on Tuesday with the most difficult of all the matchdays, as the Scottish champions prepare to travel to Old Trafford to face overwhelming group favourites Manchester United.[LNB]Smith is well aware that such an encounter is one every single player in his dressing room will relish as they prepare to pit their wits against some of the best players in the world but he was also keen to provide a timely reminder of the importance of the domestic campaign.[LNB]The Scottish champions may boast a 100% record so far but, as far as the manager is concerned, they have yet to hit top form and, for that reason, Smith insists none of his players will have one eye on Europe ahead of the lunchtime kick-off at New Douglas Park.[LNB]"I don't think so because I don't feel as though we have the proper focus in terms of our domestic games," he said.[LNB]"That's something we have to adjust to first and foremost.[LNB]"I'll probably speak to Sir Alex but we've both got tough away games this weekend so we'll let those games be over before we start to think about the Champions League."[LNB]Smith says the international break just past is likely to have more of an impact on the side he selects for the clash with Accies, rather than their glamour tie next week.[LNB]"What will affect the team selection more is the boys who have been away playing in the two international games more than anything else," he said.[LNB]"Those who are available for us all trained this morning and they are looking all right.[LNB]"It's the early part of the season so it may be that we won't make too many changes to the team from the previous outing.[LNB]"There is no doubt you have to be careful going into this period from now until December really.[LNB]"If you're an international player, you've got a lot of games to fit in.[LNB]"As a manager, it's one of those things you have to look and judge who has been affected by playing in so many games.[LNB]"But we've got a group that we can change around, we've got quite a few players who can play in a few positions.[LNB]"Over the next couple of months we will be changing the team around quite a bit."[LNB]Despite having a compact squad at his disposal, Smith has every faith in his players to cope with a gruelling mix of European, international and domestic action in the coming months.[LNB]He said: "Whatever numbers we've got will handle the games okay, footballers are resilient enough.[LNB]"It will just mean them playing the games and not doing an awful lot of training. I'm sure we will handle all that. It's just the injury situation that would be a concern to us.[LNB]"We have a small squad, there is no doubt about that. If we are hit by injury or suspension, then we are down to some of our younger academy players.[LNB]"We just keep our fingers crossed that we don't get too many injuries."[LNB]Rapid Vienna's progression to the Europa League groups stages means Nikica Jelavic is ineligible to play for Rangers in the Champions League.[LNB]But Smith expects the £4million striker to take advantage of the lack of European football by making an even bigger impact in the SPL.[LNB]He said: "Although we would have wanted him for the Champions League games, Jelavic will offer us a freshness in the domestic games after the Champions League matches this season.[LNB]"We are looking forward to seeing him in the games. He has been looking good in training and hopefully that will carry into the matches."
