Brian Laudrup: Walter Smith has matured as Rangers boss

Apr 13 2008 By Mark Guidi

BRIAN LAUDRUP reckons wily Walter Smith now has the know-how to lead Rangers to glory in the UEFA Cup.

The Great Dane reckons Gers were naive and too gung-ho when he played for them in the Champions League more than a decade ago.

The winger and his team-mates were on the receiving end of a few drubbings as they failed to deliver on that stage in Smith's first spell as boss.

But Laudrup now reckons Walter has just about mastered what it takes to be successful in Europe.

The Gers legend was thrilled when his old club saw off Sporting Lisbon last week to reach the semi-finals.

Rangers now face Italian aces Fiorentina - the team Laudrup left to move to Ibrox in 1994.

And the Dane hopes Smith can mastermind another victory then join legends like Jock Stein, Willie Waddell and Sir Alex Ferguson by leading a Scottish club to Euro success.

He told MailSport: "I'm delighted to see Rangers doing well in Europe. It's terrific for Walter and the players.

"Rangers have been criticised this season for their tactics but Walter has been spot on especially in Europe.

"When I played in the Champions League for Rangers we were naive and too offensive. We thought we had the players to attack top teams but it didn't go to plan often enough.

"Now Walter has the balance just right. He is playing to the strengths of the players and it has brought them fantastic results.

"If Rangers played all-out attack they would have gone out months ago.

"I prefer to see flair and offensive football but I understand why Walter has set his side out this way. The counter-attack suits them perfectly."

Smith has worked wonders since returning to Ibrox after Paul Le Guen's doomed spell at the helm.

Rangers are chasing a remarkable quadruple and Laudrup hopes they clean up at home and abroad.

He said: "Walter deserves credit for turning the club upside down.

"I'm not in the dressing-room now but having watched the team several times and listened to Walter's comments, I think he has matured and improved as a manager.

"He is only a couple of games away from making history and I hope he achieves it.

"It would be fitting for him to be one of the few Scotsmen to have managed a team to European success.

"That would make him a proud man, I'm sure."

Despite also spending time at Fiorentina there's no doubt which side Laudrup wants to see in the final.

He said: "I am a Rangers supporter and they are in my heart. Fiorentina are not in my heart.

"I want to see Rangers win and they may well play Bayern Munich in the final. The Germans will be big favourites to win the competition.

"I also played for Bayern and it feels a bit strange to have a connection with three of the clubs.

"Bayern knocked out my brother Michael's team, Getafe, in the quarter-finals and I was so disappointed for him. However, it was a great achievement to get to the last eight.

"But Rangers will not be looking beyond the Fiorentinatie. I watched the Italians defeat PSV 2-0 in Eindhoven and they are a good side.

"It is important Rangers do not concede in the first leg at Ibrox but even if the result does not go 100 per cent in their favour they have the belief to do well away from home.

"They have played superbly away and achieved excellent results at Lyon and Sporting Lisbon.

"So there's no reason why they can't win in Italy if they need to.

"Rangers are better suited to playing away from Ibrox. They are happy to let the opposition command the ball. Then Rangers hit them quickly on the break."

Laudrup will try to attend the final at the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14 should Gers make it through.

But he knows there would be a scramble for tickets.

He said: "If I can get a ticket I will be there. I'd love to see Rangers in the final. The players have worked hard this season and Walter's buys have worked out really well.

"He didn't have a huge budget to spend on players and there was no room for mistakes with the signings.

"Perhaps not too many of the fans had heard of Jean-Claude Darcheville and Daniel Cousin but they have been terrific this season.

"They are experienced and have scored important goals. I hope they still have two or three more to come in this competition.

"And I hope the defenders and goalkeeper continue to stay solid."