We'll Tidy Up Messi Again In Nou Camp

Nov 4 2007 By Scott Mcdermott

WALTER SMITH admits Barcelona wonder-kid Lionel Messi was right to say Rangers played anti-football against the Spanish giants at Ibrox.

But the Ibrox boss has told the Argentine superstar it's the only way his team could play when they faced the multi-million pound side of Frank Rijkaard.

And Smith has warned Messi that Gers' will try to do exactly the same to nullify Barca's threat in the Nou Camp this week.

His troops face their most daunting test to date in the Champions League on Wednesday night in Spain.

But with his resources Smith insists if Rangers tried to play the La Liga outfit at their own game they'd be hammered.

He said: "I read Messi's comments and if that's the way the boy feels then fine.

"Our job is to try to take as many points as we can.

"We have the same number as Barcelona but we have won ours in a far different way.

"There can be a certain frustration from any player on his level of ability, I can understand that.

"Messi has a point in many ways. But we have to set our stall to be successful in a different way from them.

"It will be a similar approach from us in midweek and they will go about the match in the same way too.

"If all the teams in the world go out and play against Barca given the manner they play, they will be beaten."

Smith is a huge admirer of Rijkaard for the way he has built a team based largely on attacking flair.

Unlike other big-budget clubs like Chelsea the Spaniards' philosophy is epitomised by the likes of Messi, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o.

The Gers gaffer admits if he had the same money as the Dutchman he would still be reluctant to go on all-out attack.

Smith said: "I like the way Frank goes about his job because a lot of managers with similar finances may have bought different types of players.

"He has brought in the best flair players in the world and deserves credit.

"Put in the same position I'm not sure if would have the courage to do what Frank has done. So I admire the fact he looks for attack-minded players."