Source: Team_Talk
Smith hails Gers' true grit
Rangers manager Walter Smith has paid tribute to the character of his players as they bid to edge another step closer to retaining the SPL.[LNB] Celtic's 3-2 win against Hibernian on Saturday means Smith's men will have to wait at least another week before having a chance to wrap up the championship.[LNB]But Smith is well aware victory over Hearts is not a foregone conclusion after watching Rangers forced to battle for a goalless draw against an impressive Dundee United midweek.[LNB]And he believes, particularly at this stage of the season, that grit and determination will be just as important as ability when it comes to crossing the finishing line.[LNB]"You don't win anything without that," said Smith.[LNB]"It doesn't matter what football team you are - from Barcelona all the way down to the rest of us - you don't play well every week.[LNB]"You have your periods where you do well and you have games where you do exceptionally well.[LNB]"But, in quite a number of the games over a season, you have to roll up your sleeves and make sure that you battle away.[LNB]"We had to do that the other night at Tannadice as Dundee United have been playing very confidently at the moment. We did so and did very well."[LNB]Smith has now called for a repeat of last month's victory over Hearts, which saw Rangers cruise to a 4-1 win at Tynecastle, as they prepare to host the Jambos at Ibrox.[LNB]He said: "That's the one thing about the split, you are playing against the five top teams in the league so you are always going to get very difficult matches.[LNB]"It was the same at Tannadice the other night and I felt it was a really good game from both sides.[LNB]"We managed to win 4-1 at Tynecastle a few weeks ago but we had to play exceptionally well and it was probably one of our best performances in the second half of the season.[LNB]"We will have to replicate that if we want to win on Sunday.[LNB]"Hearts, now that they've got into the top six, will be trying to push on and finish well in their last five games.[LNB]"We have to continue to show the form that we have shown."[LNB]Rangers have already secured the Co-operative Insurance Cup and it appears only a matter of time before they add the SPL trophy to their haul of silverware.[LNB]The champions are also set to be celebrating when the individual prizes are handed out next month after Kris Boyd, David Weir, Steven Davis and Andy Webster - who is on loan at Dundee United - all made the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award.[LNB]"It's nice to see they are being nominated," said Smith.[LNB]"They have deserved it for the consistency they have shown over the season. They've handled themselves really well and it's nice that they get a reward.[LNB]"It comes from whichever teams are doing well over the year; their players will get recognition.[LNB]"This year, Rangers players have played exceptionally well over the season and it's nice that they get that recognition."
