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Ferguson praise for "top class" manager Smith

14/05/2008

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has heralded the impact of returning manager Walter Smith as the team prepares for tonight's Uefa Cup final in Manchester.

The former Everton and Scotland boss is in his second stint at Ibrox after quitting the national side in January 2007.

And Ferguson, whose Rangers career began towards the end of Smith's first spell in charge between 1991 and 1998, believes his return has galvanised the squad and created a new work ethic.

"I have played in a lot of excellent Rangers teams, but for spirit, determination and will to win this is the best team I have played in," he told the club's website.

"The never-say-die attitude is fantastic. Sometimes we look down and out but we keep coming back.

"It's a great attribute to have and that's probably down to the manager who has instilled that mentality into a lot of the players.

"In saying that, there are a lot of hungry guys in the dressing room; guys who have not won that much in their career and really have the desire to succeed."

Ferguson revealed that Smith had an influence on him during the late 1990s when he was an emerging youngster and Rangers were battling for a record ninth successive domestic league title.

And the Scotland international midfielder added he still feels the same loyalty towards Smith now that he always did before.

"I was a young player coming through when Walter Smith was here the first time and in that period he was under a lot of pressure because of the nine in a row situation," Ferguson continued.

"He let me train with the first team from a young age and that gave me a lot of experience.

"He gave me my debut at the end of the nine in a row season and a played a few games for him the following season.

"His man management is spot-on, his tactics are great and basically everything about him is top class.

"He is older and wiser now - he probably won't like me saying that - and he gives you a confidence to go out and play to your best."

The Gers are looking to complete the second stage of an unprecedented season that could end with a quadruple trophy haul of the Scottish Premier League, Scottish Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup.

Ferguson has already lifted the League Cup this season and the team are just three wins away from overtaking Celtic for the league title.

The Uefa Cup final tonight comes just eight days before the conclusion of the league campaign in Scotland and 11 days before the Scottish Cup final date with Queen of the South on Saturday May 24th.