Smith: Just the start for Weiss

23 August 2010 17:30

Rangers manager Walter Smith believes Vladimir Weiss has shown just a glimpse of what he has to offer the Scottish champions this season after impressing on his debut in the 3-0 win against Hibernian.

The 20-year-old had to settle for a place on the bench for the visit to Easter Road after completing a season-long loan move from Manchester City last week. But the Slovakia winger made the most of the opportunity when he was thrown into the action with 25 minutes to go, immediately causing problems for the home side before setting up Kenny Miller for the second goal of the striker's hat-trick.

"We are pleased with the way he played," said the veteran boss. "We've never really had a winger and in my three-and-a-half years here I've kind of toiled manfully to try to find one."

He added: "He was one who was brought to our attention and he is a lad who can be a huge benefit to us in that respect.

"I always think a team like ours needs that type of player and hopefully once he gets a number of games under his belt, we will see him come on to an even better level."

Another new signing, James Beattie, was the provider for Miller's opener and Smith was thrilled to see his new additions play an important role in the game.

He added: "It was nice. James Beattie did well for the first goal, seeing Kenny in the position that he was in. I felt that goal was going to be important.

"We were maybe a little fortunate not to lose a goal just prior to that when Madjid Bougherra intercepted an attempt on the goal-line.

"Scoring the first goal was always going to be a vital factor in the game and we managed to get it and we managed to go on from there. Once the game opened up a little bit, we got three and might have got another one or two."

Source: PA