Walter Smith: Rangers FC should have won against Valencia CF
Rangers FC manager Walter Smith was pleased with his team's performance against Valencia CF on Wednesday, 20 October, but added that the Scots could have gone on to clinch the three points.
American midfielder Maurice Edu scored for Rangers before netting an unfortunate own goal as the game ended 1–1 and Rangers missed the opportunity to keep level on points with Group C leaders Manchester
United.
It was Valencia who produced the most shots at the Ibrox Stadium, but Rangers, backed by the lively home crowd, enjoyed good spells of possession and hit the post through Edu just before the interval.
"I think both sides had opportunities to win the game," Smith said after the draw, which keeps Rangers in second place in the group. "I thought we maybe had more clear-cut chances to win it than Valencia.
We didn't start well but once we got into the game we created some really good opportunities."
Despite being put under intense pressure by Unai Emery's team in the second half, Smith said his side could have turned the single point into three.
"There is that frustration because I felt we had slightly the better of the opportunities and had enough to win the game. We managed to get forward and create some good chances. We cut them open on a number
of occasions."
Edu unfortunate to score at both ends
Smith, who has coached Rangers since 2007, added that he felt for Edu, who scored against his own team with only 45 seconds gone in the second half.
"He's scored a couple for us over the last couple of seasons, so it was good to see him get up there and get that goal, but unfortunately not to get the other one."
The Scottish team travel to face the Spaniards at the Mestalla Stadium in two weeks' time.
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