Barry Ferguson: We have to win every game to be in with chance of winning SPL

Nov 30 2008 By Mark Guidi

GUTTED Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson last night admitted his side must win EVERY game to lift the league crown after a demoralising 2-1 defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.

Walter Smith's men slumped seven points behind leaders Celtic as first-half strikes from Marius Zaliukas and Laryea Kingston sealed a surprise victory for the Jambos.

Gers got back into the game thanks to a Christos Karipidis own goal but left empty handed - despite playing against 10 men for the last 15 minutes after Lee Wallace was sent off.

The Ibrox club have dropped 10 points on the road this season and Ferguson admitted that's far from championship form.

He said: "The results we're getting away from home will notwin us the title. They are not good enough.

"We must win every game now.

This defeat was hard to take and we lost the game in the first 20 minutes or so. We conceded both goals from set-pieces yet last year we coped well with high balls into the box.We'll need to look at that.

"We also didn't create enough. We had plenty of the ball but never put their keeper under pressure.

"It's important we pick ourselves up because our aim at the start of every season is to win the title.

"People can talk about Celtic being out of Europe and not having distractions but what happens to themis of no concern to me."

Ferguson made just his fourth start of the season yesterday after recovering from ankle surgery.

The midfielder knows he has yet to hit top form and said: "I'll need another few games. When you do a pre-season you normally need eight games to get right up to speed so the boys are still a few ahead of me."

Ibrox gaffer Smith was furious with his defence and hammered home the importance of the remaining three Old Firm games.

He said: "We struggled defensively in the first 20 minutes and there appeared to be anxiety with high balls.

"We gave away too many fouls and lost goals from setpieces.

The inability to defend has plagued us this season.

"There's no doubt we had plenty of possession after that but we didn't create enough.

"With the consistency Celtic have shown this season it means the pressure has been heaped firmly on us for the remaining Old Firm games. Andwe deserve that."

Smith was asked if this result will force him to strengthen the squad but there is unlikely to be money available unless players are moved out.

He said: "We just need to keep going. We have a big group of players and they need to handle the situation."