Smith ready for final Old Firm bow

22 April 2011 16:30

Walter Smith admits he is glad to be facing his final Old Firm derby this weekend following the events which have marred the build-up to the clash at Ibrox.

Smith will head into the famous fixture as Rangers manager for the last time on Sunday, in a match which could ultimately determine the destination of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

The veteran boss, who has been warned by police over his own security, has expressed his despair at the news that Celtic boss Neil Lennon was sent two viable parcel bombs. He said: "After the happenings of the last week, I'll be delighted it's my last one."

He added: "That, more than anything else, is the feeling I've got going into it."

But the 63-year-old is still determined to go out on a high, adding: "It's my last Old Firm game and it's one I hope we can go on and win.

"I just look forward to it, whether it's my first or my last. It doesn't really matter. It's the result that is going to matter more than anything."

With Rangers boasting a one-point advantage over Celtic, who have a game in hand, the stakes are high as both teams battle for the SPL crown but off-field matters over the last few days have undoubtedly overshadowed the match so far.

Smith added: "It's our job. If we were looking at it from a purely footballing point of view, we have reached the stage of the season that everybody should be looking forward to.

"Now you find yourself in a situation where it's other things that are grabbing the headlines and it should be the football. In the 20 years I've been involved and being from the west of Scotland, I've never known a week quite like this. It's sad.

"When you look at people like Neil Lennon and the other couple of people involved in the threats, it's something that unfortunately goes far beyond the footballing aspect."

Source: PA