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Entire Ibrox squad is still up for sale, admits Smith

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Published Date: 06 July 2009
RANGERS manager Walter Smith admits every single player is still up for sale this summer.
The Ibrox club revealed back in January they could be forced to sell key personnel in a bid to balance the books, albeit no big names left at that time.

Fans had hoped winning the Clydesdale Bank Premier League and securing automatic entry into th
e lucrative group stages of the Champions League as a result would mean holding on to their top stars.

But Smith says every player has a price regardless of a £10million boost for the coffers.

He said: "What happened in January is still there. Every player is susceptible to a bid.

"We told them circumstances meant we had to sell a player and we're still in that situation.

"I know there's a feelgood factor after winning the double but this doesn't go away.

"Yes, it's far less of a problem than in January. But the problem most teams out of the big leagues have is still at Rangers' door."

Smith has also revealed there will be no major signings ahead of the new campaign either.

He added: "We won't be spending a lot on players just because we're in the Champions League. We still have to be prudent."

Rangers defender David Weir, meanwhile, refuses to accept he is entering the final year of his career as the 39-year-old prepares to embark on his latest pre-season.

Weir will sign a one-year contract later this week when he returns to Murray Park following the summer break.

The Scotland defender made 47 appearances last season, winning the league and cup double as the club captain, and Weir is happy to go on defying expectations. He was signed by Smith on an initial short-term deal in January 2007.

"Everybody has been telling me since I was 33 or 34 at Everton that this would be my final year," Weir said.

"I have never put timescales on my career."

Weir will be 40 the day after the upcoming SPL season ends.

"Everybody keeps asking what the secret is, whether it's eating bananas for breakfast or doing yoga," the former Falkirk and Hearts player said.

"But I think it's whether the person wants to do it and whether they are prepared to sacrifice what they need to and whether they enjoy it enough to take the downside of it. I do.

"I was fortunate enough to play with guys like Richard Gough and Dave Watson who were playing in the Premier League in their late 30s, and I think Dave was even playing in his 40s.

"I have been able to see it's capable of happening. I don't think there is any reason for it not to continue."

Weir is eager to continue playing regularly under Smith next season.

Weir added: "Latterly at Everton I was in and out of the team and that was becoming a problem.

"The older you get, I think it's harder to jump in and out." Rangers unveiled the design for their 2009/10 home strip at the weekend. The kit does not officially go on sale until 16 July but a limited number are available to pre-order from today.

Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson told www.rangerfc.co.uk: "I really like the design of the new strip and am sure it will be a hit with our supporters.

"I knew Rangers were a big club when I joined but when you see the thousands of fans in Scotland and abroad wearing the kit with pride you realise how massive the club really is.

"Hopefully we can be as successful in the new strip as we were last season."





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  • Last Updated: 05 July 2009 10:41 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Rangers FC
 
 
  

 
 


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