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Rangers could match England's best, says Walter Smith
3 Aug 2009Walter Smith insists Rangers could match the best in England if ever they were given the chance to become part of the Premier League.
The Ibrox boss remains confident that both Rangers and Celtic would not be out of place in the English top flight despite a 3-0 drubbing by Arsenal in the Emirates Cup.
The Scottish giants were stunned by a brace from English teenager Jack Wilshere and a sublime finish from Croatian Eduardo to provide Arsenal with their second Emirates Cup triumph in three years.
Smith is confident his side can rise to the challenge of a Champions League campaign in the coming season but he also believes that, given an opportunity, the Gers would more than hold their own in the English game.
"The level of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal etc is not to be compared to the Scottish league - if it was, there would be something wrong with your league and not ours," said Smith.
"There is a huge disparity at the top level, but not at the other level from a Rangers and Celtic perspective, it is not there.
"But it is also there among the English teams. If you take away the top four or five, I do not think the rest of the league play to a similar level to them."
Smith is also confident his side can avoid being European whipping boys this season.
"Having missed out on Europe last season, it was a sharp reminder to our boys of what we come up against at the top level of European football," added Smith.
"It is not very often we come up against a team who play in a manner which Arsene Wenger has them playing. They were excellent in terms of possession and speed.
"It is not surprising to see Arsenal get to the semi-finals of the Champions League when you see the level at which they play.
"I keep reading newspapers saying they should be spending money and bringing in other players.
"Well, the two Arsenal teams I have seen playing over the weekend would be sufficient for me to say they will put up a good enough challenge in all of the competitions they are involved in this year."
Reader views (4)
"Dillusions of Granduer"...don't they certify people who exhibit this symptom. Walter must be rehearsing for his next job...ie comedian.
- M Mackenzie, Vancouver Island, Canada, 03/08/2009 22:05
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While the standard of football in Scotland is not at a very high level you must realise that teams playing Rangers and Celtic each week will usually throw everything at them - there are no easy games for these two - getting a draw or a win against the Old Firm is a bonus. Arsenal have a real find in that 17 year-old. Any chance of him going on loan to Rangers?????!!!!!!
- Carlos, FAREHAM, Hants, 03/08/2009 21:48
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Not from what I saw yesterday at the Emirates. Men against boys and the boys won!! You could argue that it was a pre-season match but Arsenal were in 3rd gear for most of the match with the odd flurry of endevour from the 'gers. It was embarrasing to say the least. However on the plus note your fans could out sing anyone in the world. Hats off to them they were brilliant and good fun to be with(even discussing the Ashes cricket at half time)!!!
- Uday Desai, Coventry UK, 03/08/2009 15:15
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Rangers and Celtic should be able to compete with all but the top 6 teams in England. With the money Man City have now I think you have to expand beyond a 'top4' this season plus I fancy Villa to run them closer again.
Anyway - Sundays match showed, however, that unless Rangers invest in the team they will not be able to compete with any English team they meet in the UCL. All fans know we need another Centre Half, to play alongside Bougherra. If we don't, or if we lose him we'll need to fight to compete in the SPL, never ming anywhere else.
No disrespect to Davy Weir but the best we should expect from him this year is as cover.
- Coz, Edinburgh, Scotland, 03/08/2009 08:45
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