Smith undecided on Naismith strategy

16 March 2011 15:00
Rangers manager Walter Smith admits he has a dilemma over whether to use fit-again Steven Naismith in Europe or Sunday's Old Firm cup final. Naismith returned to full training on Tuesday after overcoming the hamstring problem which has troubled him since he was involved in a Christmas Day road accident. Smith is considering playing him in Thursday night's Europa League last-16 second leg against PSV Eindhoven. The Scotland international's runs from midfield have proved one of the team's major weapons in European competition this season. But Naismith has not played since the 3-0 Old Firm defeat at Celtic Park on February 20, when he came off at half-time, and Smith also wants to utilise the 24-year-old in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final. Smith said: "The balance is whether it's the right game to bring him back. I don't think it's a worry bringing him back, he is fit, we made sure the problem that he's had has cleared up. "The problem is having the Thursday night game and then the cup final on the Sunday. It's which game we feel we can get the benefit from him. I don't think it will be possible for him to play in both."

Source: PA