Rangers bid for teen keeper

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http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/s...x-Smithies.html

Smith eyes up Smithies

RANGERS BID FOR TEEN KEEPER

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By Andrew Graham, 21/02/2009

RANGERS have joined a host of Premiership clubs in the race to sign Huddersfield keeper Alex Smithies.

Ibrox boss Walter Smith travelled to the Galpharm Stadium last week to watch the 18-year-old, above, shine against Yorkshire rivals Leeds.

England Under-19 ace Smithies is also wanted by Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle and Sunderland and has rejected a new contract with the Terriers.

Boss Lee Clark has promised a revised offer to keep him at the League One club, though, and said: “We are waiting for a response. We have made what I consider to be a Premiership contract offer to an 18-year-old goalkeeper.

“We are trying everything we possibly can to persuade Alex to stay, but he will eventually end up at the highest level and we know the lad will have ambition to play at the top of the game.

“I believe that he can get there with Huddersfield, but it is his decision.”

Gers are looking for another keeper with No3 Graeme Smith seemingly on his way out of Ibrox.

Meanwhile, Smith insists the prospect of a European super league is further away than ever following the growth of the Champions League and the advent of more glamour international tournaments.

The Old Firm are vying for a place in the Peace Cup, to played at the end of July in Spain with the likes of host club Real Madrid, Sevilla and Juventus. But Smith sees little prospect of Gers and Celtic facing the cream of Europe more often, other than through the Champions League or the Europa League, which will replace the UEFA Cup next season.

The Ibrox boss said: “The Champions League is such a big tournament they would be loath to disrupt it.

“The same applies to the domestic competitions in England, Germany and Spain because of the television money accrued from these countries.

“We played half a league season in Europe last season and you’re talking easily 10 or 12 games for the bigger clubs.

“So I don’t see that a European League is something that would be welcomed the way the Champions League has grown.”