Worst team ever? Far from it says Smith Pic: ©STV
Rangers boss Walter Smith has hit out at his critics and, despite leading Glasgow rivals Celtic by 10 points with a game in hand, feels his team aren’t getting the credit they deserve. The Ibrox side’s achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by the club’s financial insecurity and recent talks of a takeover, but the gaffer believes his side are playing good football which has forged a considerable margin at the top of the table.
"The quality of our team hasn't been discussed too much. A lot of other aspects have been raised,” said Smith.
"The gap that is there in the league has been highlighted as being down to other reasons. But I think it is deserved for our level of play. There have been good things happening at this club throughout the season.
"Maybe the financial situation or the perception of this team has clouded that a wee bit. I think now sometimes when we play well it gets ignored. People say Rangers were able to grind out a result or were resilient. But we actually play some decent football at times."
A win at Kilmarnock on Tuesday would see Rangers extend their lead to 13 points and the treble-chasing side could make it a clean sweep of the domestic prizes. Despite this, Smith’s rangers side have came under heavy criticism including being branded the worst side in the team’s 137-year history.
Smith said: "Who is it that says this line about us being one of the worst Rangers teams in history? Who are these people? If you are involved at this club, you have to be good enough to win games.
"At one stage Rangers went nine years without winning the title in the late 1970s and 1980s.
"I've a right few players who I could say have had terrific seasons. The goalkeeper, Steven Whittaker, Madjid Bougherra - although he has missed a number of games - David Weir and Sasa Papac.
"Lee McCulloch has been very steady throughout the season, Kenny Miller has played really well and Kris Boyd, for me, has had his best season.
"We have had some good performances throughout the team. Steven Davis would be another.
“I don't have any hesitation in saying this current side is up there. Bougherra, Weir, Papac - they would be good players in any good Rangers team from any era.
"Boyd would get in for his goals and Miller for his running and attitude. Davis would be in there, too.
"We have some decent players here. It's been shown at Ibrox historically that if you don't have the level of player the club needs then you don't win games.
"And we have been winning. We've a host of players here who were in a European final."
