SMITH EURO FEARS AS REDS CRUSH GERS
[tr][td=2,1,487]Walter Smith last night admitted he fears a knockout Euro blow in Kaunas after watching his Rangers side lose 4-0 to Liverpool. [/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1,487][/td][/tr][tr][td=2,1,487]Gers head to Lithuania tomorrow morning for the second leg of their Champions League qualifier with FBK Kaunas.
And yesterday's friendly with the Reds at Ibrox was hardly ideal preparation as Rafa Benitez's men won easily thanks to goals from Fernando Torres, David Ngog, Yossi Benayoun and Xabi Alonso.
Now Smith has to pick up his players for midweek - with their Euro hopes in the balance after a scoreless first leg.
He said: "I've no excuses. No complaints. Liverpool were better. It was a disappointing performance particularly in the second half.
"Perhaps we would have been better not taking this game on. But we know we need to get it going for Tuesday night. We can't run away.
"We were off the pace in the first half-hour last week against Kaunas and today's game also showed we have a bit to do.
"Tuesday is an important game and we need to be ready. We have to be brighter and sharper."
Smith would love to be able to call upon the strikeforce of Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres, who Reds boss Rafael Benitez felt made a good impression on their first start together.
He said: "Robbie worked hard and there will be a good partnership with Fernando.
"Both are clever players and leaders. Robbie contributed well to our result today. We worked hard and tried to keep a high tempo." [/td][/tr] |
發表於 2008-8-5 12:43 AM
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