Don't blame Smith

Johnstone: Smith doing the best he can

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• Rangers

Derek Johnstone told Sky Sports News that Rangers boss Walter Smith isn't to blame for their Champions League defeat.

Rangers' European adventure came to an end after a lacklustre performance contributed to a 2-0 defeat by Stuttgart at Ibrox and Johnstone believes that Smith is doing the best he can with a limited squad.

"The quality of player has changed and that is no disrespect to the lads that play there," Johnstone told Sky Sports News.

"It is not the same squad that it was four or five years ago. The money is not there and as everyone knows Rangers are in debt up to 31 million pounds.

"They have not spent any money over the last eighteen months on players.

"Walter Smith has certainly done a good job in the SPL but when it comes to playing the quality teams in Europe it is just not there for them at the moment.

"It has been poor campaign you have to say," added Johnstone.

"Normally Rangers do very well at home and they always manage to pick up points but it is always the away games where things get difficult. It has been the exact opposite this time - they have picked up two away draws and lost the last three games at home.

"It used to be a fortress at Ibrox but I am afraid those days are gone."

The loss to Stuttgart at Ibrox highlights the shortcomings of Rangers and while the former Rangers striker believes playing in the English league would certainly help, that is just not going to happen.

"I think they are well short - the manager knows that and I think then supporters know it as well," added Johnstone.

"Hopefully they will get some fresh money into the club - certainly Walter will need some money to spend if not in January then certainly at the end of the season to strengthen the side.

"With the money down south it would certainly help if they were playing down there. They just cannot compete though and are in a different league entirely as far as Europe is concerned. But it is not going to happen - the English league have said it is not going to happen in the foreseeable future so what the Old Firm have to do is buckle down and settle and concentrate on what they are doing in Scotland.

"To be fair the Old Firm have dominated the SPL over the last decade. But all of a sudden you have teams like Hibbs and Dundee coming through and their fans believe they can separate the Old Firm this season.

"So there is definitely a challenge on for Rangers who may be top but have not played well in the SPL this season. The challenge is for them to stay on top but they are going to get challenged."