Smith looks for three new players

18 July 2010 20:01

Rangers manager Walter Smith is looking to add three new players to his squad this summer after his side kicked off their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win over Queen of the South.

Kenny Miller grabbed the only goal of the game at Palmerston Park, while several youngsters were also given a run-out. Smith has assured his homegrown talent they will be given an opportunity this season but admits he is also keen to add some fresh faces, having lost experienced regulars in the shape of Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson in recent weeks.

He told www.rangers.co.uk: "We know we need to increase our squad by two or maybe three players before the end of the transfer window and hopefully we can do that. But even allowing for that there will be plenty of opportunity for those young lads to make an impression."

Smith declared himself satisfied with the outing in Dumfries and expects his players to develop more of a competitive edge when they travel to Australia for further pre-season action this week.

He added: "We had a slow start and I think that's fair enough given the number of weeks we've had off now.

"It picked up a little towards half time and immediately after half time we were better and got the breakthrough.

"We changed things around then as we had always planned to do, but it was a good first game for us and one we were pleased to win.

"It's always good to get started with the games and we've been training intensively for a couple of weeks now so the focus changes a little towards the matches.

"The First Division teams have competitive cup ties in the next few weeks so they were ahead in terms of fitness and games. But we'll get a competitive edge as we get more games.

"We have three good ones in Australia and then a few more when we come back before the season starts."

Source: PA