Smith pleased to boost Gers squad

Rangers manager Walter Smith believes he has opted for quality, rather than quantity, in strengthening his squad over the summer. Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic completed his £4million move to the Scottish champions on Friday night, 24 hours after Vladimir Weiss joined on loan from Manchester City.Prior to those new arrivals, Smith made his first purchase in two years when he recruited James Beattie from Stoke last week.And, although operating with a smaller squad this term as a result of those high-profile signings, the Rangers boss is confident the gamble will pay off."That's the balance we had to look at this year," said Smith, whose team face Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday."We either brought a number of other players, ie another three or four for very similar to money to what we've spent, or went with a smaller group and hope that we don't get too badly hit by injury and suspension."That has been our decision, we have tried to bring in a good quality of player and we hope that will do us over the season."It's maybe a little bit of a gamble on my own part but it's the route that we've decided to take."He added: "We could be doing with a few more but I would think, financially, that would be us finished."We can't stretch it any further than we have done at the present moment."Jelavic finally moved to Rangers following weeks of negotiations after refusing to play for Rapid Vienna in their 1-1 Europa League draw against Aston Villa on Thursday.His determination to seal an Ibrox move came partly from the encouragement of his fellow Croatian, former Rangers striker Dado Prso.Jelavic told rangers.co.uk: "I know Dado was a huge favourite of the Rangers fans and if I come even close to him then it will be good."I want to try to copy what Dado Prso achieved here."I spoke to Dado and he told me, 'Look if you have a chance to go to Rangers it is something unbelievable and you must go'.While Smith believes his summer spending is over, Hibernian manager John Hughes hopes there is some money left for new players - even though the club have built a new East Stand.The Leith outfit will mark the official opening of the enclosure in Sunday's Scottish Premier League game against Rangers.Millions have been spent on their state-of-the-art training centre and the stadium, but Hughes would like chairman Rod Petrie to give him cash to bolster his playing staff.He said: "You have to keep everyone on their toes but you can only add to the squad if the finances are there."We've talked about the infrastructure of the club, the stand, the pitch and everything that is going on with the training centre."All the money comes out of one big barrel and I just hope there is that wee bit more for me to get one or two players in to help these guys along."However, I might have to shuffle the pack a little bit."

Source: Team_Talk