Source: Team_Talk
Smith seeking new Rangers striker
Walter Smith has confirmed signing a striker is his priority this summer as Rangers face up to life without Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo.[LNB] Novo has returned to his native Spain with Sporting Gijon, while Boyd is on the verge of deciding his next move after rejecting a new contract at Ibrox.[LNB]Smith, who is preparing for his final season in management, admits the current financial climate at Rangers will make replacing the duo difficult.[LNB]He has already seen a bid for Portsmouth's Tommy Smith rejected, with the club's administrator Andrew Andronikou branding a reported £300,000 offer as "derisory".[LNB]But Smith remains undeterred as he tries to fill the void left by Boyd and Novo.[LNB]He told rangerstv.tv: "That's a thing we have to look at and it's not an easy thing with the financial constraints to find forwards to replace them.[LNB]"Both the boys, Nacho and Kris, were terrific servants to the club and we wish them well and hope they can be as successful in the future as they have been at Ibrox.[LNB]"But Rangers will always go on whether it's Walter Smith, Kris Boyd or Nacho Novo that leaves. The club will always go on and we will hopefully be able to fill that breach."[LNB]Smith, who will be able to make his first permanent signing for two years this summer, added: "Over the past couple of seasons we have had a smaller squad, but a very stable squad.[LNB]"That has been upset a little bit with the fact that we have had half a dozen players who have contacts that have expired.[LNB]"So we will have change in the squad for the first time in a couple of years but hopefully we can get a bit of time to let everyone settle in.[LNB]"We look forward to bringing new lads in as it will provide a bit of freshness to our group.[LNB]"But, as always, we expect a big challenge from all the Scottish clubs next season."[LNB]Smith could be forgiven for taking it easy in his farewell season but, despite two trophy-laden spells in the Ibrox hotseat, he insists his hunger and desire to lift more silverware has never been stronger.[LNB]"Those are the demands we face, I keep saying that to people," said Smith, who will hand over the managerial reins to Ally McCoist next summer.[LNB]"It doesn't matter what you have achieved, you have to try and repeat that again and that's a football manager's job.[LNB]"We always have to recreate a circumstance where you are winning."
