Walter vows to ditch defensive strategy and go for jugular in final

May 11 2008 By Mark Guidi

Walter Vows To Ditch His Defence Strategy And Go For Jugular In Final Rangers V Zenit 3days To Go

WALTER SMITH is ready to ditch the defensive tactics that led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final.

The Ibrox manager has vowed to throw off the shackles and adopt a more attack-minded approach in a bid to take the game to Zenit St Petersburg.

Gers' safety-first policy served them well on the road to Manchester with top sides such as Werder Bremen and Fiorentina edged out over two legs.

But Walter knows a one-off showpiece requires a different approach and hopes that will prove the key to landing Gers' first European trophy since the Cup Winners' Cup triumph in 1972.

He said: "We have had Zenit watched a number of times including both semi-final ties against Bayern Munich.

"I was also at Goodison Park with Kenny McDowall to see them play Everton in the UEFA Cup group stage last December.

"They had already qualified from their section and won the Russian title a couple of weeks earlier.

"I could see that night they are a good side and to score four away to Bayer Leverkusen then take four off Bayern shows how dangerous they are. But we also have to think about what we're good at and what we can do to win.

"We can cause them a problem or two.

In a final you need a different mentality because it's a one-off game.

"We might play differently from previous rounds because you have to commit and threaten the opposition.

"That wasn't always our way in the last few ties - but I make no apologies for that. However, I realise we may have to extend ourselves a bit and we are capable of doing that.

"Up until Celtic got four at Motherwell a few weeks ago we were top scorers in the SPL.

"It would have better to have Daniel Cousin available but he is suspended and that limits our options up front.

"But we are looking forward to it. The final will be our 19th game in Europe this season and that is remarkable. It has been so enjoyable.

"We are underdogs but that has been the case for most European matches.

"We've had to play every one of our six knockout games at home in the first leg then away. That has made it all the greater we have managed to get this far."

Smith has allowed his mind to wander to what it would be like to lift the UEFA Cup on Wednesday night.

He reckons it would be every bit as good an achievement as winning nine titles in a row in 1997, equalling the record set by Jock Stein's Celtic.

Walter said: "Personally, achieving nine in a row was terrific and this one would also rank right up there with the best.

"But winning the championship was repetitive and this is not.

"I won six titles as manager of Rangers although it could be argued it is seven. Graeme Souness still claims the credit for the 1991 success even though he left the situation hanging by a thread when he quit to join Liverpool!"

Smith will look to skipper Barry Ferguson to play a major role at the City of Manchester stadium.

The Ibrox captain has been hampered in recent months with an ankle injury but Smith feels the midfielder is ready to shine on the biggest stage.

Ferguson has repaid his gaffer for the show of faith that saw him reinstated as skipper after he was stripped of the honour by Paul Le Guen.

Walter said: "If there was a problem between Barry and Paul it no longer existed when I took over.

"I felt it was right to make Barry captain as he was a successful skipper in the past.

"He may end up playing 70 games this season and that's some going, particularly for a midfielder.

"He is a leader on and off the park. There is a wonderful spirit in the dressing-room and Barry has a lot to do with that.

"They all get on and want to do well as a group. Barrywill typify that on Wednesday night - he will relish this type of game."

As Ferguson stands in the tunnel ready to lead the team out Allan McGregor will be in the stand, sidelined with an ankle injury. The Gers keeper has been outstanding this season and Smith has every sympathy he's missing out.

He said: "Allan has made a massive contribution to our season and is a big factor in us getting this far.

"Playing in a European final doesn't happen too often and he deserves to be involved.

"He made an unbelievable save against Werder Bremen with five minutes to go and we showed that night we had the strength to get through.

"It stems back to qualifying for the Champions League after drawing 0-0 away to Red Star Belgrade. That was a huge night in terms of the confidence it gave us to get results in hostile places."