Leave Kenny alone: Rangers manager Smith tells Miller's critics to get a grip

The Scotland international will make his competitive Ibrox debut second time around against FBK Kaunas in the Champions League second qualifying round tonight.

And Smith issued a thinly-veiled attack on supporters rubbishing the £1.9million signing from Derby, with a minority having jeered Miller in pre-season games. 

Up against it: Kenny Miller, at training with team-mate Steven Whittaker yesterday, has to win over supporters

Opinionated: Smith was at pains yesterday to defend his signing of Miller

Some fans remain angry that Miller ecstatically kissed the Celtic badge when he broke his Parkhead scoring duck against Rangers in an Old Firm match two years ago.

Smith stopped just short of labelling Miller's doubters as bigots but pointedly stressed that when it comes to team selection, only his opinion counts as he prepares for a taut European night against Vladimir Romanov's Lithuanians.

'I signed Kenny because, to my mind, where the Rangers team are at the moment I feel he will do well for us. That's the only thing that matters to me,' said Smith. 'If the player has been here (at Rangers) before and people do not like him because they do not think he is good enough, then that's fine.

'That's an opinion - mine is different and it is mine that matters. That is how I look upon it. Every supporter is entitled to think what he wants.

'But if the reason they do not like Kenny is because he played for Celtic then, frankly, I thought all those days were past. They are for me. But, if some people think it's not acceptable for that reason, then unfortunately there is not a lot I can do about it.

'But we will do what we are paid to do: try and win football matches.There are no comparisons whatsoever with Maurice Johnston.

'Not in the slightest. The reaction at the present moment has been exaggerated a little - to my mind.

'Let me stress: I don't mind if supporters make judgments on the way someone plays. 'Supporters always do that. If a fan says he does not like Kenny Miller for what to my mind is a valid reason, then that comes down to nothing more than that person's opinion.

'But fans have to realise I have an opinion as well. I think he can help the team for the way we play at the moment.' 

Miller spent one season at Celtic after arriving on a Bosman from Wolves - the club he joined when sold by Alex McLeish in December 2001.

He looks sure to feature tonight although Smith, stripped of men like Carlos Cuellar, Barry Ferguson and DaMarcus Beasley, declined to deliver clues on his lineup.

With the likes of Kris Boyd, Kyle Lafferty, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Nacho Novo and Lithuanian Andrius Velicka in contention, he has a host of forward options.

Kirk Broadfoot is set to deputise for Cuellar in central defence, with Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch both fit to start in midfield.

'It is important for us to get off to a good start at Ibrox, not just for Kenny Miller on an individual basis,' added Smith, 'I need the whole team up and running right away. It needs to be competitive.

'Kenny's experience will help him. Lafferty is only 20 and has moved from his first club. 'I think he will take time to settle in - but he might surprise us all.'