Source: Team_Talk
Smith rules out further striker signing
Rangers boss Walter Smith will not sign another striker this month despite losing new-boy Nikica Jelavic for the Champions League campaign.[LNB] Jelavic, who arrived at Ibrox this morning after being granted a work permit, is now ineligible for the tournament because Rapid Vienna reached the Europa League group stages with a 3-2 victory at Aston Villa.[LNB]The Croatian, who played in earlier rounds but refused to turn out in the Austrian club's first leg against Villa, was baffled by the UEFA ruling, which deprives him of tests against Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor.[LNB]And Smith, who confirmed that defender Andy Webster remains out of Saturday's SPL clash with St Johnstone due to a hamstring injury, admits Jelavic's loss will be sorely felt.[LNB]"It is a bit of a blow for us, I must say," Smith said. "Not just in terms of losing someone that we hope will do well for us in terms of goals and all-round play, but losing another jersey.[LNB]"We only have 18 lads who have played regularly in the first team, so to lose him is a blow - and Andy Webster's ongoing injury situation as well.[LNB]"That cuts our squad down. We've got a decent squad but if we fall foul of injury, it may be a bit of a struggle for us."[LNB]However, Smith will focus on other areas of the team if he has the funds to add to his squad before Tuesday night's deadline.[LNB]James Beattie has also strengthened the club's strike options this month while both Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty are keen to play in forward positions alongside Kenny Miller, who was this week handed a second contract extension offer.[LNB]"I don't need someone in that position, we have plenty of cover for the forward position," the former Scotland manager said.[LNB]"If we have to move someone up front, then we will obviously weaken another area in terms of numbers. That could be a big problem for us.[LNB]"If you look at Scottish teams going out, that's six extra games to play in the first half of the season to any of our opposition.[LNB]"That's a lot of games and a lot of midweeks that other teams don't have to play.[LNB]"I would much prefer to have it than not have it, it's not a complaint, but it will stretch us to our limit."[LNB]Smith added: "We certainly don't have a lot of money but we may have something to bring in one or two. I'm actually not quite sure about the financial situation at the minute."[LNB]The vast majority of Smith's budget went on Jelavic, who was banking on Champions League football this season.[LNB]Jelavic, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, revealed he had been encouraged by national team coach Slaven Bilic to sign for Rangers.[LNB]He added: "I expected to play in the Champions League but football is like this. I am also glad for them (Rapid), but I am sad.[LNB]"It is frustrating but what can I do now? I'm just focused on doing well in the championship.[LNB]"I prepared myself for something different, but this is football, you never know what is around the corner. Rapid were 2-1 down and scored two in two minutes."[LNB]Jelavic hopes to play at Ibrox against Saints, who beat Rangers 4-1 at McDiarmid Park last term, but Smith is unsure.[LNB]"It's been an awkward week, he had to stay at home and wait for the application to be successful, so he only arrived this morning," Smith said. "We'll see how he is in the morning."[LNB]Rangers have begun their season with two victories but Smith will stress the dangers of complacency against Derek McInnes' side.[LNB]"They gave us our heaviest defeat last season," Smith said. "The games have all been extremely tough, Derek does well in terms of setting out his team and they have been aggressive in their approach - they don't sit back and wait for things to happen. We need to be on top of our game."
