Source: Team_Talk
Smith: McCoist ready to be boss
Rangers boss Walter Smith believes assistant Ally McCoist has served his apprenticeship and is ready to be a number one.[LNB] His comments come amid uncertainty whether Smith will be at the club next term, with the 62-year-old repeatedly refusing to confirm whether he will be in charge.[LNB]While McCoist has a reputation of being something of a joker in social circles, Smith believes his protégé also boasts a harder edge and would do a good job in the Ibrox hotseat.[LNB]Smith said: "He'll handle players and he'll handle them very well.[LNB]"There's a much tougher side to him than a lot of people imagine.[LNB]"We've worked together for three and a half years. He's served his apprenticeship. He's now as ready as he's ever going to be in the managerial stakes.[LNB]"He brings a lot in terms of his overall knowledge of football."[LNB]Smith's comments come as his side are on the brink of retaining their SPL title this term, with just two points needed - or dropped points from Celtic - to secure the championship.[LNB]Top scorer Kris Boyd paid tribute to Smith, suggesting his current achievement bore comparison with his historic 'Nine in a Row' feat in the 1990s.[LNB]Boyd said: "He's been brilliant. It's easy for people to say he won nine in a row before.[LNB]"He had money to spend but, this time around, he's had nothing to spend.[LNB]"We've not signed a player for two years so I think he's done a tremendous job."[LNB]Meanwhile, Gers full-back Steven Whittaker is relishing the prospect of a title party at Easter Road on Sunday.[LNB]Five years ago he was part of the Hibs side which watched Rangers celebrate winning the championship on the final day of the season after winning 1-0 at Easter Road.[LNB]Recalling the day, Whittaker told Rangers News: "I played in the game the last time Rangers won the league there and it was a strange match to be involved in.[LNB]"We were at the stage with Hibs where we were going for Europe and, even though we got defeated by Rangers on the day, as long as we didn't concede too many goals we knew we would make it.[LNB]"When Rangers took a 1-0 lead, it kind of suited both teams and the game really flattened out and was almost played at walking pace.[LNB]"It was a strange game to play in but, hopefully, when we go there on Sunday, we can get a similar result so we can wrap up the title.[LNB]"Obviously, both teams had something to celebrate at the end of that particular season with Rangers winning the league and Hibs finishing third.[LNB]"They were magnificent achievements for both sides and it made it a strange atmosphere because both teams wanted to celebrate at full-time."[LNB]He added: "I won't know how it would feel to win the league at my old ground until the day comes, but I think winning the title anywhere is going to be massive.[LNB]"It's a great achievement and the kind of success you want to be part of and something that we all want to experience again after going through it last season.[LNB]"If that comes again, whether it is at Easter Road or elsewhere, it would be amazing and another great achievement for the boys."
