Rangers boss desperate for funds to improve squad
Rangers manager Walter Smith says that he is eager to be handed funds to strengthen his squad in January in an attempt to ensure a prolonged run in the UEFA Europa League.
The Scottish Premier League champions had their exit confirmed from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday 24 November when they were defeated 1-0 at home by Manchester United but they are guaranteed to finish third in their group, ensuring that Ibrox will
continue to see European football beyond December.
However, Smith claims that without funds to bring in some fresh faces when the transfer window reopens for business, Rangers are likely to struggle.
In the game against United, he was only able to name six substitutes after Madjid Bougherra, Sasa Papac, Kyle Lafferty and Maurice Edu picked up knocks in previous games to join the players with long-term injuries on the sidelines.
He told reporters: "If we don't get any help in the January transfer window we could have a struggle because we're right down to the bare bones. We need a bit of a hand. We're in a situation where we've only got teenagers left.
"James Beattie only had two or three days training and we had to put him on the bench, otherwise we were a little bit embarrassed by a lack of numbers. It'll always be difficult to try and judge how we can do because injury and suspension could affect us
quite badly. We need a little bit of luck. We're losing four players tonight who would've started in our team. We can't really afford to do that."
Rangers will find out who they will play in the last 32 of the Europa League when the draw is made on 17 December, but could face the likes of English Premier League sides Liverpool or Manchester City in the first two-legged knockout stage in February.
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