Smith hopes Rangers can dig deep

Rangers manager Walter Smith has told his players they have no choice but to cope with three massive games in eight days.

The Scottish champions host Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League, before making the trip to the east end of Glasgow to face Celtic in a hugely important Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash on Sunday.

Smith's men then travel to Portugal for the second leg of their European clash, as they attempt to remain in the hunt for silverware both domestically and on the continent.

The timing of the fixtures may not be ideal for Rangers, but Smith pointed out that his side were able to deal with a similar schedule in the early part of the season when they were forced to juggle domestic duties and the Champions League.

"You always have to face that with the European games," he said.

"We faced big games in the first half of the season after playing in the Champions League so we've got to face up to it."

He added: "If you're going to be successful, it's something you have to try to overcome."