Smith unsure over Naismith strategy

16 March 2011 16:00

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 has returned to full training 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 but 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."

Naismith has not played since the 3-0 Old Firm defeat at Celtic Park on February 20, when he came off at half-time.

Smith continued: "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. We have to give a thought to Sunday's game as well, it's a big game for us.

"We are trying to do as well as we can in each tournament so we need to try to achieve the right balance in the amount of playing time he'll get over both games."

Smith was undecided whether to play Neil Alexander in goal to give him more game time ahead of his Hampden appearance.

Alexander played in the goalless first leg in Holland but first-choice Allan McGregor came back for Sunday's 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

Source: PA