Walter Smith eyes Bursaspor flourish for Rangers

Champions League, Group C
Venue: Bursa Ataturk Stadium Date: Tuesday, 7 December Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Scotland

Smith knows a win in Turkey would be a big boost for Rangers

Rangers manager Walter Smith does not buy into the notion that Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bursaspor in Turkey is a dead rubber.

"I still think it is an important game for us," said Smith. "We want to do as well as we can do.

"We have the co-efficient to look after as well and there is still a fair amount of money available for winning.

"So obviously we want to finish with as good a record as we can in the Champions League."

Rangers go in to the final Group C game with five points from five games, knowing they cannot qualify for the knockout stages.

However, with the Turkish hosts still to register a single point, Smith's men have already secured a Europa League place, although a draw at least and probably a win is needed to be seeded in that competition.

Moreover, while the cash-strapped Ibrox club is the subject of a proposed takeover by Craig Whyte, Smith is well aware of the importance of the £750,000 prize money on offer for taking three points.

The last time Rangers dropped down to Europe's second tier competition they reached the final of the Uefa Cup, now the Europa League, in 2008, only to be beaten by Russian side Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.

But skipper David Weir is not yet dreaming of going one better.

"We haven't thought about that [Europa League] as of yet," said the 40-year-old defender.

"We are entirely focused on this game and trying to finish this campaign well before we start thinking about that.

"That will come in due course.

"The Europa League is a good competition. We had a great campaign when we reached the final two years ago and there is a lot of good memories and good experiences.

"We made a good mark for Rangers in Europe. So hopefully, once we finish this properly we can do that again."