Smith offers United reminder

09 May 2011 16:00

Rangers manager Walter Smith handed out a reminder to Neil Lennon that Dundee United have already won at Ibrox this season after the Celtic boss urged United to "compete" against the Scottish champions on Tuesday night.

Rangers will be aiming to take another step towards retaining the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title when they play host to United. Speaking after Celtic reduced the deficit back to one point with a win at Kilmarnock, Lennon said he wanted to see someone give Rangers a game, claiming there had not been much evidence of that in their previous two games.

Smith said: "Dundee United have won here at Ibrox this season so that's how difficult a game we will face. Dundee United played exceptionally well in the game we lost, although I would blame ourselves for the defeat as much as anything else."

He added: "It was an excellent game and Dundee United played very well.

"Dundee United have probably been, in the second half of the season, the best of the teams outside of the Old Firm and Peter Houston deserves a great deal of credit for the way he has handled the team, not just now, but since he took over from Craig Levein.

"Everyone at Rangers knows the difficulty of the game we are going to have and that's enough for us."

The visit of United marks Smith's final game as manager at Ibrox, as he prepares to step down at the end of the season.

He said: "Maybe there will be a little tinge of regret that it will be my last game but that's about all.

"The most important thing is that we win. My own focus is the same as the players, on winning a championship. If we can do that, we will all be pleased at the end of the season."

Source: PA