Rangers claim SPL awards double

Rangers have scooped a double at the Scottish Premier League awards as Walter Smith and David Weir bagged the main prizes. Smith collected the Manager of the Season award a day after his side moved to within one point of retaining the SPL title with a 2-0 victory over Hearts.And 39-year-old Weir was voted top player by a panel of football experts after playing every minute of each SPL match this season so far.Dundee United striker David Goodwillie, 21, was voted Young Player of the Season.Hibernian striker Anthony Stokes claimed the Goal of the Season for his volley against Rangers at Ibrox on November 24.Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc won Save of the Season for his stop from Hibernian midfielder David Wotherspoon's long-range strike at Easter Road on August 30.In other awards, 17-year-old Dundee United striker Dale Hilson was voted the best player in the under-19 league, while Hibs won the community initiative prize, Motherwell were rewarded for their media relations and St Mirren won the first SPL Family Champions Award.Smith said: "It has been a real team effort, I don't think there is any doubt about that."We have a situation where we have a great number of players in our team who have played exceptionally well."We have a small group of players so we have had to rely on a lot of them to do well over the season. They have managed to do that for us and we are delighted that has been the case."I wouldn't say I'm surprised. When you have the same group year in, year out as we have had, a lot of the boys have been with us for about three years, and we know they can achieve a level of success."The only thing about this season was the fact that we worried about injuries and suspensions and other things affecting us."We have managed, so far, to get over that aspect of it and it leads us within inches of another championship."That's been a terrific thing for us, it's been a terrific performance by all the players at the club this season. Maybe one of the major benefits we have had is that we have been together for so long."Smith believes another successful season has again justified his decision to quit as Scotland manager and return for a second spell at the Ibrox helm three years ago.Reflecting on a campaign, which has been challenging amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club, he said: "It's one of the reasons I came to Rangers, you have an opportunity to gain a level of success."In the job I was in as Scotland manager, success would be qualifying for a major tournament. You get more opportunities if you are at a club like Rangers - and Celtic - to win things."I made that decision to come back and so far it has turned out okay. Obviously it would be far better if we could clinch the championship again this season."

Source: Team_Talk