Smith: I'll leave as a winner. Pic: ©STV
Rangers defender Stevie Smith has admitted that he has taken the difficult decision to quit Ibrox but says he is determined to leave having helped to secure the treble. The left-back is out of contract at the end of the season and is to seek pastures new to play regular football.
Smith confirmed that Rangers had offered him a fresh deal to remain at the club but says that he is putting his career first. The 24-year old said his manager would not be surprised that he is rejecting the new contract.
“The club have offered me a year’s extension but Walter Smith knows what my answer will be and it has nothing to do with money,” the player told the Daily Record.
”It’s because I want to play. In an ideal world I want to stay at Rangers but playing nine or 10 games a season won’t help my career.
“I wasn’t disappointed with the offer. In fact, I was surprised they offered me anything at all.”
Smith was realistic when talking about his next club and said he probably wouldn’t move to another high-profile side straight away. However, the defender said that made him all the more determined to leave Ibrox on a high.
“Will I end up anywhere like this, where I’m playing at Hampden and going for titles? That’s the stuff that makes you want to stay,” he admitted.
“But it looks like I’ll be moving and the Treble would be the perfect way to end it.
“Just because I know I’ll probably be leaving doesn’t mean I’m any less keen to win all three trophies.”
