Gers title bid isn't keeper Graeme's No.1 concern

May 18 2008 By Rob Fairburn

FORMER Rangers keeper Graeme Smith refused to flap after it was claimed he could have played a vital role in the SPL title race.

The Fir Park stopper blundered for the opener yesterday in the 1-1 draw with Gers, caught in no-man's land as Christian Dailly headed home.

But Smith pulled off a crucial save to foil Daniel Cousin just after the break and prevent Gers taking a 2-0 lead.

That inspired his team-mates to rally round and fightback for an equaliser.

Despite his Ibrox past, Smith said: "I don't care who wins the league.

"The only people I care about are the 22 members of the Motherwell squad and the club's fans.

"If Rangers had gone 2-0 up it would have been extremely difficult for us to get back into the game. But we were a lot better after the interval."

Smith accepted he was at fault for Rangers' opener when he charged off his line only to be outjumped by Dailly to head the ball into the empty net. He said: "I decided to come and help my defenders but did not get the ball.

"It's not great. People will say it is a mistake but you have just got to get on with it.

"We were playing a team who had just been in the UEFA Cup Final and people will judge you on that scale. So we can be pretty pleased with our efforts. It has been a very difficult time with what happened with Phil O'Donnell but it has also been a great season.

"We have finished third and got into Europe. Did we start the season thinking we would qualify for the UEFA Cup? Probably not."

Smith accepts there will inevitably be speculation over the future of manager Mark McGhee following this season's successful campaign.

But he is just keeping his fingers crossed his boss stays at Fir Park.

Smith said: "We had a young squad who have just got a bit older and I feel there is a lot more to come from us.

"It is going to be a long summer with regards to what happens with the boss but hopefully the people who make the decisions will sort something out.

"I hope Mark stays because he has been great for me. But I am in the dark about what might happen so we will just have to wait and see."

Smith was under extreme pressure in the first half as Rangers peppered his goal with deep crosses. But after the break and Cousin's miss in a one-on-one situation he looked a lot more comfortable as Rangers struggled to step up a gear.

He said: "We really only concentrate on our own performance.

"We deserved to take something from the game."