Walter: We can't chuck it away now

Apr 6 2008 By Gavin Berry

Smith Tells Gers They Must Pass Road Test Dundee Utd V Rangers Today, Kick-Off 2pm Live On Setanta

WALTER SMITH saluted his squad for their efforts this season but warned them the acid test is still to come.

The Rangers manager insists he'll find out what his team are made of when he sees how they cope with the gruelling run-in to their SPL campaign.

Smith is still in the early stages of his rebuilding process after putting together a squad equipped to challenge for honours again after the disastrous Paul Le Guen reign.

And they have exceeded expectations as they chase an amazing quadruple, with three trophies still to play for and the CIS Cup already in the bag.

On top of that they've played more European games in one season than any Rangers team before them and are looking for their 14th consecutive SPL win as they take on Dundee United today.

But despite all that Smith knows they still have plenty of questions to answer in the remaining weeks of the season with a tough run-in ahead.

The Gers gaffer said: "The hardest work is still to come. It doesn't matter what anybody says, you don't know what will happen.

"If you have been through circumstances like this before and gone on to win a championship then you would have confidence in your team doing it.

"But we just don't know what sort of reaction we'll get from this squad.

"We're going to have nine league games in six weeks which is unusual. You have that on top of the European games and at least one Scottish Cup tie.

"We have to see how our players can handle this situation.

"There's a reasonable amount of evidence to suggest there's a resilience and a desire to win there.

"But now we are into the final push and will see how they cope.

"You build up in a season and you have your aims. There is a tension that develops towards the end when you have to win and it's all about howyou handle that.

"The challenge is to show we can do that. When you're a manager that's the interesting aspect.

"You're looking at your squad and trying to see how they react as a team and individually.

"Right from the start of the season it has been a big challenge and it will be right to the end.

"I don't believe the expectation will be the problem.

"Part and parcel of being at a club like this is how you handle living with a level of expectation. That's something you've always got to point out to players in the build up towards the end of the season."

The Light Blues face an incredible seven of their remaining nine SPL games away from home as they chase their first title for three years.

First up is a tricky trip to face Dundee United this afternoon - the last team to beat Gers in the league.

But Smith sees that as just another test of his squad's character. He said: "Having a lot of away games is bound to be a factor.

"But we have shown in the run we've had we can wins home and away. As long as we keep up that level of form I don't think that should affect us too much.

"I don't believe any team has been intimidated by playing against us.

People seem to be at pains to point that out when I read interviews.

"They don't seem that affected by playing against the Old Firm any more. We need to make sure we continue to handle it the way we're doing.

"United beat us at Tannadice last year and we had a terrific Cup Final at Hampden last month.

"This season Craig Levein has brought back some stability. That's indicated in the fact they're chasing a European spot which would be a terrific achievement."

Smith found himself in the bizarre situation of sitting directly next to Levein in the Tannadice Directors' box when the teams met in October.

Both bosses like to start the match watching from the stand and Levein walked into the directors' box to find Smith sitting in his favoured seat.

The United gaffer asked Smith to move but instead of going to the other side of the box he just plonked himself down next to Levein.

The Gers boss will be back in the stand again but for the full 90 minutes this time as he serves the final match of his two-game touchline ban.

And as he recalled his Tannadice close encounter with Levein, Walter said: "It wasn't that strange sitting next to Craig. It's not as if you can do anything apart from watch the match.

"You're not going to sit in the directors' box and bawl and scream at your team."