Webster plays down lack of signings

Andy Webster is not worried by Rangers' lack of signings and confident Walter Smith "knows what he is doing" in the transfer market. The Scottish champions have witnessed the departure of several players since the end of last season, including first-team regulars Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson who both sealed moves to Middlesbrough recently.Attempts to bolster the squad have so far ended in failure, with Burnley's Chris Eagles rejecting a move to Rangers after failing to agree personal terms.But, despite a more compact squad than usual at the moment, Webster has every faith in Smith to secure the personnel necessary to challenge next term.He said: "Of course as a player you like to see a couple of new faces but there's time for that to happen, the manager knows what he is doing in that regard."Webster spent last season on loan at Dundee United, skippering them to third in the SPL and a Scottish Cup success.And he is relishing the opportunity to be one of the more experienced campaigners in the Rangers dressing room this time.He added: "There are a lot of young players but it's important that there are experienced heads alongside them too and that's part of the job for the more senior boys."But first and foremost, like everyone, it's about getting a first-team spot, and that goes for everyone in the squad."Smith revealed he is looking to add three new players to his squad this summer after kicking off their pre-season programme with a win over Queen of the South yesterday.Kenny Miller grabbed the only goal of the game at Palmerston Park, while several youngsters were also given a run-out.Smith has assured his homegrown talent they will be given an opportunity this season but admits he is also keen to add some fresh faces.He told the club's official website: "We know we need to increase our squad by two or maybe three players before the end of the transfer window and hopefully we can do that."But even allowing for that there will be plenty of opportunity for those young lads to make an impression."Smith declared himself satisfied with the outing in Dumfries and expects his players to develop their competitive edge further when they travel to Australia for more pre-season action this week.He said: "We had a slow start and I think that's fair enough given the number of weeks we've had off now."It picked up a little towards half-time and immediately after half-time we were better and got the breakthrough."We changed things around then as we had always planned to do, but it was a good first game for us and one we were pleased to win."It's always good to get started with the games and we've been training intensively for a couple of weeks now so the focus changes a little towards the matches."The First Division teams have competitive cup ties in the next few weeks so they were ahead in terms of fitness and games."But we'll get a competitive edge as we get more games."We have three good ones in Australia and then a few more when we come back before the season starts."

Source: Team_Talk