Rangers must battle to win back fans after cup exit, admits Walter Smith

David McCarthy

WALTER SMITH last night warned his Rangers players they will have to earn the support of their disgruntled fans against Hearts tomorrow.

The Light Blues manager knows the Ibrox faithful are hurting after last week's Co-operative Insurance Cup Final defeat at the hands of Celtic and he doesn't expect his players to be given a heroes' welcome at kick-off tomorrow.

But he believes his team can win the fans round by putting on a show against third-placed Hearts - and with the crowd's help they can reclaim top spot in the SPL, at least until Celtic play Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday.

Smith, who has defensive problems with David Weir suspended and Madjid Bougherra struggling with a calf injury, said: "The supporters have had a disappointment and that's natural.

"I have always worked on the premise that the team has to play well enough to get the fans behind them. That's something I have always stressed to the players.

"They have a responsibility to go out and concentrate on their own performance. I'm sure they will do and if they get the fans behind them that will be a big help."

The Ibrox boss was raging at his team's defeat in their last home match against Inverness Caley Thistle and knows they will have to play far better to beat a Hearts team hurting from their own derby defeat last weekend.

Smith, speaking on Rangers World, added: "Hearts have been doing extremely well this season, so this is a good game for us to get back into it at Ibrox after the disappointment of our last league game against Inverness.

"I am looking for a good reaction from the team and I am sure we will get that.

"Hearts have been steady enough this season and although they lost their own derby match at the weekend, they'll be determined to come to Ibrox and make up for that.

"This season they have been a difficult team to break down.

They don't lose many goals and we will have to work very hard to make sure we get the goals we require.

"Every game is going to have some kind of meaning for every team between now and the end of the season. Everyone has something to play for and the stakes are high, so it gives it all an added edge."

Taken from the Daily Record