Ferguson: We won't take Rangers lightly
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has no plans to take
Rangers lightly in their Champions League Group C opener at Old
Trafford.
Ferguson has stressed his former club must not be underestimated
by his side, who have already thrown away winning positions twice
this season.
''We don't have frailties,'' said the Scot. ''It has been a lack
of concentration in our defending. People say this is a mismatch
but they said that about Barcelona on Saturday night [Barca lost
2-0 at home to Hercules].
''Football throws up surprises. We are never going to forget
Rangers' history and this will be a tough game. I know Walter Smith
personally and he has worked with me twice. I know how astute he is
and how good a tactician he is. I can almost see that little brain
working at the moment.''
Wayne Rooney is set to return to the United starting line-up
after being left out of Ferguson's matchday squad for Saturday's
3-3 Premier League draw at Everton following lurid allegations over
the striker's personal life.
Rooney is expected to be joined in the team by fit-again England
captain Rio Ferdinand, but Michael Carrick (Achilles) is definitely
out.
Meanwhile, Walter Smith has called on Rangers to replicate the
form which took them all the way to the UEFA Cup final in 2008.
The Scottish champions embarked on an incredible run which took
them to within touching distance of European silverware only to
fall at the final hurdle against Zenit St Petersburg. Now, upon
their return to the city, Smith believes that experience will be
crucial for the players who were involved on that memorable night
as they face one of their biggest games of the season.
The Rangers boss said: ''We have to do as well as we can. We
have to recapture the level of form of a few years ago. Everybody
sets out to do as well as they possibly can and that's what we will
be trying to do.
''Quite a number of our lads had a decent run in the Champions
League and just failed to qualify in the last game to stay within
the Champions League and we managed to get to the final of the UEFA
Cup.
''That was a big thing for us then and gave everyone, including
myself, a great deal of experience in the European arena so
hopefully we will be able to use that.''
Smith is determined to stand by his decision to retire at the
end of the season and insists he will relish every European
encounter this season, with Rangers also set to take on Valencia
and Turkish champions Bursaspor.
''It's where you want to be involved,'' he said. ''However the
sections turn out, however the games turn out, it's still an arena
you want to be involved in. We were knocked out a couple of years
ago in the early rounds and didn't get an opportunity and there's
nothing worse than sitting watching it on the television when you
know you could be involved.
''We are looking forward to tomorrow night as the start of
another Champions League campaign. It's a really intense period
that you have when you take in your domestic fixtures at the same
time so we are all looking forward to it.''
Rangers full-back Kirk Broadfoot faces a late fitness test to
determine whether he will be available after sustaining an ankle
injury while playing for Scotland, but Steven Whittaker has been
passed fit after suffering a calf knock while also on international
duty.
Smith has no other injury concerns, although Nikica Jelavic is
ineligible for the competition.
The last meeting between the two clubs in 2003 resulted in a 4-0
aggregate win for United - before Smith's return for a second spell
at Ibrox - and the Premier League giants are overwhelming
favourites once again.
