Smith wants European help

24 September 2010 17:30

Rangers manager Walter Smith believes Scottish teams would fare better on the European stage if they were given more help from league bosses.

The Ibrox side travel to Aberdeen on Clydesdale Bank Premier League business on Sunday, before hosting Bursaspor in the Champions League on Wednesday. In contrast, the Turkish champions face Bucaspor Friday night, giving them more time to prepare for the midweek visit to Glasgow than their hosts.

Asked if it would be a benefit to Scottish clubs to be given extra preperation time ahead of European games, Smith said: "This comes up over the seasons. The answer to that is yes."

Smith added: "But I know, through the managers I've met with the Scottish League and others, the difficulties they face, especially with rescheduling television games.

"I just think at times it would be helpful if Scottish teams got the same help that some of the European teams get.

"But it's only some of them, not all of the European teams allow their teams to play on a Friday night prior to Champions League games.

"We just have to accept it and get on with it. It's just what we have to do. There is no use complaining about it.

"Bursaspor can get their game moved back from Sunday to Friday but unfortunately we can't.

"There is no complaint from us, it happens each and every year that we've got a team in the Champions League or, indeed, in European football. It's a busy fixture list but we just have to put up with it."

Source: PA