Smith refuses to give up Rangers' title hopes
Sunday, 18 May 2008 10:25
Smith has refused to concede defeat in the title race
Rangers manager Walter Smith has refused to concede the Scottish Premier League title to Celtic despite dropping points away to Motherwell yesterday.
Rangers are now three points behind Celtic with one game in hand. However, the Bhoys currently have a goal difference which is seven better than Smith's side.
Thus if both sides win their remaining fixtures Rangers would have to score a flood of goals to overcome their rivals.
But Smith has not given up hope yet and feels Dundee United will be looking to cause a similar upset to Celtic's title dreams on the final day of the season as Motherwell did to his side yesterday.
Smith said: "Our result [yesterday] was disappointing but there is still a bit of football to be played, although overturning the goal difference Celtic have will be a difficult task.
"But if Motherwell are any indication then the games ourselves and Celtic have remaining, they will be very tough and we can't expect to simply turn up and win."
Smith was quick to dismiss any claims that the other teams in the league have nothing to play for because Rangers and Celtic have monopolised the silverware recently.
The former Scotland boss points to the desire Motherwell showed against Rangers and admits his side face hard matches against St Mirren and Aberdeen next week.
He said: "There is nothing wrong with that and I am sure when we go to play St Mirren and Aberdeen they will put in a similar level of effort as will Dundee United against Celtic."
If Celtic win the title it would represent a huge comeback having trailed Rangers by as much as nine points a month ago.