Smith happy to come in under the radar

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Walter Smith insists he has no problem with Rangers being written off once again as they prepare to face Zenit St Petersburg in Wednesday’s UEFA Cup final.

The Ibrox boss knows his players have been regarded as the underdogs for much of their European adventure this season.

"It doesn’t offend in any way, shape or form," said Smith. "That is the way it has been throughout this European campaign, so we just have to accept that and get on with it."

He added: "So far, we’ve had a lot of negative comments about us. Hopefully, that will continue through to Thursday or Friday.

"We’ve had a lot of situations where people say that Rangers play anti-football, rubbish football or whatever.

"But for a first-year team, we’ve settled in well and, for those teams that have lost to us, if they are that good, why have they not beaten us?

"Players make these comments and they’ve got to take a look at themselves."

Rangers failed in their bid to have a free weekend ahead of the trip to Manchester, meaning Saturday’s win over Dundee United represented their third Clydesdale Bank Premier League game in seven days.

"You can see the amount of work they are putting in," Smith said of his players. "It is a relief when you see the reward they get for it at the end.

"This season is a bit different from the others because we’re.....continued below