WORDS CAN REALLY HURT!; Smith's inspired team talk will be cup clincher - Nizzy.

Scott Nisbet reckons just a few words from Walter Smith could guarantee the manager bows out of Ibrox on a wave of glory.

Former Rangers cult hero Nizzie - forced to quit through injury in 1993 - revealed Smith is a master of setting the tone pre- match in the team hotel.

And if that doesn't do the job, then captain Richard Gough will follow to tie up a few more loose ends - individually.

Nisbet, now 30 and involved in sports retailing, said: "Walter's team talks are superb. He's so calm and puts his points across with little room for doubt.

"Then Goughie tends to step in and go through the team on a one-to-one basis. Believe me, we're then talking about a highly motivated team.

"This is such a massive game for Walter and players such as Coisty, McCall and Goughie who will be leaving in the summer.

"I can't overstate the strength of feeling towards Walter - NO ONE at Ibrox wants to see him leave as manager on a downer.

"I spoke to the gaffer a couple of days ago at Ibrox. I had to. I wanted to wish him well because he's been so good to me.

"I'll be at Parkhead tomorrow - and I'm convinced my Hearts mates will be crying."

Rangers have been preparing in luxury at Dunkeld for their date with destiny - the game which could see them finish a season without a trophy for the first time since 1986.

And Nisbet reckons Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant will have been working overtime on the laughs front. He said: "We're talking MEGA pranks at times like this.

"Mind you, Walter will be hoping there's nothing like the one a few years ago involving David Hagan on the afternoon of a big European tie.

"David, bored in his 14th floor room, started playing with matches - and set off the smoke alarm in his room and the hotel alarm!

"All hell broke loose as Walter and the lads evacuated their rooms.

"Firemen arrived but, of course, couldn't use the lifts - so they climbed 14 floors. When they kicked in David's door he was standing on his bed with a blanket, trying to smother the smoke alarm!

"No player can afford to keep his back turned when the likes of Coisty and Durrant are around.

"There will also be the usual card schools, a bit of pitch and putt or snooker.

"Walter will have given the players some serious training on day one at the hotel, then followed this with two days of light work."

Nisbet reckons Scotland boss Craig Brown has severely damaged Hearts' chances of winning - by ignoring McCoist and Stuart McCall for France.

He said: "It's unbelievable that Tosh McKinlay and Darren Jackson are in ahead of Coisty and McCall. That hasn't gone down well at Ibrox.

"It was such a big ambition of Coisty to finish off as a Ranger by appearing at the World Cup.

"Some people say Rangers are there for the taking - that suits them perfectly. They are never more dangerous than when in that situation.

"Their preparation for this game will be intensive. So many owe so much to the gaffer - and they won't let him down."

Taken from the Daily Record