Smith sidesteps takeover talk

06 May 2011 12:00

Rangers manager Walter Smith has refused to let takeover talk distract him from his efforts to win the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title.

Craig Whyte hopes to be confirmed as the new owner of Rangers on Friday. The Scottish businessman's takeover bid, reportedly worth around £52.5million, is in its final stages after a positive day of talks in Edinburgh between Whyte's camp, current owner Sir David Murray and members of the Ibrox board on Thursday.

Of the takeover, Smith said: "It has been going on for months and months. We have reached the stage where we would like to concentrate on the football."

He added: "We've got ourselves into a position where maybe during the season we didn't think we would get into and I would like our whole concentration to go on that.

"Whatever is surrounding the club and whether it's sold or not sold today will take care of itself.

"It's more important for us to make sure we concentrate on the last three games."

Rangers head into Saturday's game against Hearts a point clear of Celtic at the summit with three fixtures to go.

Source: PA