Walter's thoughts on Fiorentina game tonight

[Coopermania 1]

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines..._to_a_final.php

Smith dreaming of following old friend to a final

DARRYL BROADFOOT May 01 2008

As Sir Alex Ferguson readies himself for a red army invasion of Moscow, Walter Smith will tonight embark on the final leg of a European adventure he hopes will end 220 miles from home, in Ferguson's constituency.

Manchester United's thrilling achievement of reaching the Champions League final in Russia was heartily congratulated by Smith, whose enthusiasm for coaching was rekindled as short-term assistant to Ferguson at United in 2004, after his departure from Everton.

Ferguson, aged 66, is now tantalisingly close to the crowning glory of a 22-year career at Old Trafford. Smith, at 60, is on the brink of a UEFA Cup final appearance that would ensure a broader appreciation of his coaching talent after the unprecedented domestic success with Rangers first time around.

Similarities between United's captivating Champions League crusade and Rangers' pragmatic UEFA Cup journey begin and end with the long-standing relationship between the managers. None the less, Smith is hoping to emulate United's feat of endurance against Barcelona amid an inevitable Fiorentina onslaught.

"It was terrific for him last night in Manchester," Smith said yesterday of Ferguson's return to the Champions League final. "Also, it just shows the pressure that is on and the effect that an away goal has on these games.

"Manchester United had to defend in the manner that they did for the final 20 minutes last night, and that is the away goal that is the factor there as much as anything.

"We have had opportunities before to reach a European final but, unfortunately, they passed us by. I hope this one can go in our favour."

Rangers have prospered amid seemingly intolerable resistance before. In fact, save for the rousing romp in Lisbon, against Sporting, thriving in grim adversity has characterised Rangers' UEFA Cup run. Smith is ambivalent towards criticism of his side's profitable but pilloried style of defence-first football.

"Fiorentina have different skills," he said. "We set out to be difficult to beat. I make no bones about that and have said it all along. In terms of the progression of the team, getting that necessary bit of flair is something that we'll need to try to do in the close season.

"It doesn't irk me at all. A lot of the time I think we have been a lot better than many people have imagined us to be."

Cesare Prandelli, the Fiorentina coach, will not invite Rangers to blossom as they did in Portugal. "It will be a difficult game," said Smith. "You always think that when you come away to face a team as well-set as Fiorentina have been for the last couple of seasons, and are sitting fourth in Serie A and playing at home, then they will be favourites for the tie.

"But we've had good results away from home, and we've managed to get goals away from home in both European tournaments we've been involved in this year, so I hope it can continue.

"The away goals rule is a factor, you see that in all of the games that have been played where it has been tight. So I think we will approach the game in the same manner that we have done for most of our other European matches, and I hope that we get a similar result."

As Rangers' European drama has unfolded, Smith's stance has softened on the status of UEFA Cup prosperity against a return to domestic dominance.

From the humble beginning against Montenegro's FK Zeta, tonight represents Rangers' 18th European tie of a long, exhausting campaign, more than any other club.

If anything, Smith believes his team of diligent workhorses deserve distinction for confounding expectation.

"I'm biased," he said. "I obviously think that we deserve it. But, remember, Fiorentina have also played a lot of matches to get here, so they'll think that they deserve it if they get there. Deserving it and actually getting there are two different things."

Success, though, would rank alongside his finest achievements. "To get there would be fantastic on a personal basis," he said. "I just hope we can get there because it has taken a great deal of effort to reach this stage. If we can win in Florence then I think we would deserve to get to the final, because that would be a big enough achievement on its own.

"When you are lucky enough to have won a few things, you can pick and choose but, certainly, for any manager to get to a European final is a big thing. For any team to get to a European final is a huge thing - especially for a team from one of the smaller football countries. It is a huge achievement, but I don't look upon it as a personal thing at the moment, because I never expected to be in this position."

Smith's optimism has been increased by the late recuperation of David Weir from a groin injury sustained during Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Celtic. The 37-year-old trained last night and is expected to rejoin Carlos Cuellar in a partnership that has been interrupted by suspension. Steven Davis has also recovered from a groin injury and will resume his role on the right side of Rangers' midfield quintet.

"Steven Davis will be okay," assured Smith. "In Davie Weir's case, he is better than we had believed and has a chance of making it. It will just depend on his further progress. It turns out it was a cramp as much as anything. The scan has shown that there is no damage there, so we are more optimistic about Davie, though that is not to say that he will play."

Smith's other dilemma concerns his primary striker. Jean-Claude Darcheville has become a European specialist with his combination of pace and brawn. However, Daniel Cousin's domineering display against Celtic has thrust the Gabon centre-forward into contention.

Both will be used at some stage, especially if Rangers are in for the long haul of extra time and penalties. "If that's the situation, we'll go into that quite happily," said Smith. "But I think we'll need to score if we're going to go through, so it won't be that different from other games we've played this season."