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Friday May 15, 2009

Smith insists Rangers still in title battle

GLASGOW: Walter Smith has insisted Rangers are still in the Scottish Premier League title battle, despite handing the initiative back to rivals Celtic by only drawing 1-1 at Hibernian.

Former Hoops striker Derek Riordan did his old side a massive favour when he took advantage of a static Gers defence to superbly finish in the top corner to give Hibs a first-half lead at Easter Road on Wednesday evening.

But substitute Nacho Novo scrambled home a vital late equaliser ten minutes from time at Easter Road to leave Rangers behind Celtic on goal difference after they reclaimed top spot with a 2-1 win over Dundee United on Tuesday.

The result means just two goals separate the sides with two games remaining and Smith says Celtic, who face Hibs on Sunday, will find it tough at Easter Road.

“Hibs showed a great deal of pride with their performance and I’m sure they will do so on Sunday as well,” the Rangers boss said.

“For us we just have to get on and make sure we win the two matches.”

The championship race will now definitely go down to the wire with the outcome certain to be undecided before the final day of the season on May 24.

If both teams win this weekend it will evoke memories of 2003 when Rangers, under Alex McLeish, clinched the championship on goal difference from Celtic after a final day 6-0 mauling of Dunfermline.

But Smith says his side must concentrate on just winning their matches rather than racking up large scores as there may be some surprises still to come.

“The goal difference is at two and we’ve got to get on with it,” Smith said. “Our boys have shown a terrific attitude over the last couple of months to get in the position we’re in. You can only go and try and win a match, that’s all we can do. Everyone else will start to talk about goal difference now.

“As I said before everybody looked at this game and said if we won the Old Firm game we would go on and win the other games but it doesn’t work like that.

“Celtic have to come here and win a match on Sunday and we have to win a match against Aberdeen on Saturday and that’s what we will go and attempt to do.

“As a manger you have got to win the games. It doesn’t matter when you play.

“We operate under a level of pressure – period. Whether somebody is three points in front or we win a game or lose a game, or it’s played one day or another day.

“We have been like that since the start of the season and it’s just something that’s there. We have to live with the fact that we have to win our games.” — AFP

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