Source: Team_Talk
Smith plays down Gers title talk
Walter Smith watched Rangers draw first blood in this season's Old Firm title battle and then dampened down talk of winning three in a row.[LNB] The Scottish Premier League champions fell behind to a Gary Hooper goal in first-half injury time in Sunday's clash against Celtic at Parkhead.[LNB]However, the Light Blues' fightback started three minutes after the break when Glenn Loovens scored an own goal before Kenny Miller volleyed the visitors ahead after a mix-up in the Celtic defence.[LNB]Former Parkhead striker Miller sealed a 3-1 win with a controversial penalty in the 67th minute when referee Willie Collum, taking charge of his Old Firm game, pointed to the spot after Hoops stopper Daniel Majstorovic had tangled with Kirk Broadfoot.[LNB]Television pictures suggested the Rangers substitute had gone down very easily but there was little doubt the Ibrox men deservedly extended their winning run in the SPL to nine games to go three clear at the top.[LNB]Rangers boss Smith, who had a veiled dig at his Celtic counterpart Neil Lennon by saying Collum had been put under unfair pressure before the game, said: "It was a good afternoon and a good win but we are very early in the season to be talking about championships.[LNB]"There are a lot of games yet to be played but we are delighted at the position we are in.[LNB]"I don't think I can remember starting with nine wins in a row as a manager, even in my previous spell here.[LNB]"It is a nice way to start the season but we know that there are a lot of problems which lie in front of us.[LNB]"There are other Champions League games to play and it's always difficult to come back from that and I felt the game against Valencia in midweek had a little bit of an effect on us."[LNB]Smith, however, was well aware of the significance of inflicting Celtic's first SPL defeat of the season in the east end of Glasgow.[LNB]"In Old Firm games you always want to make home advantage count," he said.[LNB]"The percentages of wins is far greater in favour of the home team than the away team and so to go away from home and win the game is really good.[LNB]"Celtic Park is always the toughest test for anyone (in Scotland), it is a very difficult place to go and get a win.[LNB]"And Celtic have a new team so we weren't sure what to expect so all-in-all, I am pleased by the way my own team handled it."[LNB]Smith had special praise for Miller, who took his domestic tally to 13 for the season.[LNB]He said: "It's a terrific return for us this season.[LNB]"The first one was an excellent finish and he put the penalty away well.[LNB]"That was always going to be important because if you don't score it the opposition get a lift."
