Walter Smith gives praise to Sydney's quality

Walter Smith's Glasgow Rangers were able only to steal a single point from their match-up against Sydney FC. Whilst it will be hard to take much away from a game that was so heavily influenced by the wet weather, Smith seemed impressed with Sydney's showing.


"I felt Sydney worked very hard to put us under pressure in the first half of the game, and were quite successful doing that. In the second part of the game we maybe picked them back a little bit" Smith said.

"But during the decent periods for both the teams they never really created very many opportunities so there wasn't that much for the goalies to do."

"I think for Sydney the first half of the game they worked very hard to close us down and in possession of the ball they were a bit better than we were. In the first half they made us work very hard."

"I think overall the [Sydney] lads there show a good level and I think when you see the way they play they willl have another good season."

"I don't know the overall of the A-league - we watch it when we're at home - but they certainly look a bright side"

As all managers would be, Smith was slightly worried about injuries that night, especially considering his squad's current lack of depth. Aside from that, he was happy with his players efforts.

"I think when you see the conditions of the pitch - the fact that the water was lying all over the top there, it turned out a kind of game where, at this time of the year, it was a full of the players fitness" Smith said.

"I felt both sides tried to work very hard to nullify the other. For both coaches we can say we've gained a little bit in fitness, but not a lot in terms of overall level of possession."