Pitt stop is last thing Blues want

May 18 2008 By Mark Guidi

WALTER SMITH would hate to see a league campaign that has promised so much end in failure on Thursday night at Aberdeen.

The Rangers manager takes his side to Pittodrie for the final game of the SPL season knowing they need a win to clinch the title.

And he's determined to see off Celtic in the race for the line and seal the club's first championship success for three years.

Smith has won the crown in Aberdeen before, in 1987 when assistant to Graeme Souness, and would love a repeat in midweek.

He said: "I remember 1987 well. It was the first title we had won since Graeme took over and it was also the first championship Rangers had claimed in nine years.

"What sticks in my mind most from that day was the excitement of the fans.

"Having been starved of the league title for so long their delight was clear to see.

"I suppose it felt like what the fans have been through this year in getting to the UEFA Cup Final. It was 36 years since our last European final and the excitement was everywhere.

"So I hope we can feel that excitement again during the week. It's not going to be easy but we feel we can win the title.

"At the start of the season I said I wanted us to get close to Celtic - to cut the gap from the last two campaigns. That was a realistic target.

"We have managed that. Now I want to win it. To say anything else would be a get-out.

"We are disappointed at losing the UEFA Cup and don't want to taste pain again.

"But we will have to work hard because of our tough fixture schedule.

"Losing the UEFA Cup has not been easy and I can't say it hasn't had an effect on us - it certainly has. But you must put disappointment to one side and move on."

Before the Pittodrie showdown Gers go to St Mirren tomorrow for the last of their games in hand on Celtic. Smith's first match in charge during his initial spell as Ibrox gaffer was at Love Street in 1991 and they won thanks to a goal from Sandy Robertson.

At that time Gers were scrapping all the way with Aberdeen for the league so there was no margin for error.

And Smith can see parallels with this season as his troops battle Celtic for the crown.

He said: "Injuries and suspensions were causing havoc at that time and it was all about winning games.

"So I was just glad to get my managerial career off to a winning start at St Mirren.

"It was a huge season and Sandy's goal went a long way to us lifting the championship in a dramatic last-day decider against Aberdeen at Ibrox.

"I'd settle for another win on Monday night. "It's all about winning at this stage.

"A victory at Love Street would set us up nicely for Aberdeen on Thursday."

The winners of the SPL title race will go straight into next season's Champions League, guaranteeing £10million of income.

And Smith reckons sealing the championship would aid his summer spending.

Rangers' European run has boosted the club's profile and the Ibrox boss hopes to bring in quality additions.

He said: " We reached the UEFA Cup Final and I hope that can help attract players to the club.

"We want to bring in quality and maybe they will find it attractive coming to a club that has just played in a European final.

"However, you never know. We have a list of guys we want but you are not always able to bring your targets to the club.

"We will work hard to get the right players in to kick on from this season. We will try our best to build on the past 17 months."