Walter Smith laughs off talk of an Aberdeen-Celtic conspiracy

Posted Saturday, February 13, 2010 by theguardian.com

Walter Smith laughs off talk of an Aberdeen-Celtic conspiracy
Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, is not worried about Aberdeen's plans to rest players against Celtic.

The Rangers manager, Walter Smith, has laughed off conspiracy theories relating to Celtic's league trip to Aberdeen tomorrow lunchtime. Mark McGhee, the Aberdeen manager and a former Celtic player, has hinted he will rest players for the match as he deems Tuesday's Scottish Cup fifth-round replay against Raith Rovers to be the club's "priority".

Yet Smith has chosen not to dwell on the matter as he looks to extend his side's eight point lead over Celtic at the top of the table with the visit of Hibernianon Sunday. "I just hope we play Aberdeen before their next cup replay, the same thing will apply and that will even it out a wee bit," Smith said in jest.

More seriously, he added: "It has really got nothing to do with me. You always put a team out that you think will win the game. Mark has said he might [rest players]. Sometimes I sit on a Thursday and think I might do something different, but as the game gets closer you just go with the team you were going to go with in the first place."

Tony Mowbray, the Celtic manager, has admitted he is enjoying the title race. Wednesday's victory over Hearts, coupled with Rangers' draw in Motherwell on the same night, saw a cut in the points deficit between the Old Firm clubs.

"There is a challenge that we've got to try and enjoy," said Mowbray. "I've been there in the past in the Championship with West Bromwich Albion: nibbling away at teams above us, actually overcoming them and winning the championship.

"It can be enjoyable to nibble away at a lead, and if you're the team in front, looking over you're shoulder and seeing it erode can add a bit of pressure."

Mowbray disputes the notion that 14 games will not be enough for his players to overturn rs' advantage. "We've still to play our city rivals twice, of course," he said. "The first one of them is away at Ibrox and we've got to go and be very positive there and get a positive result.

"I'm sure if we don't get a positive result on that day it'll be a big blow for us and yet there will still be enough games left to keep going. Rangers keeping their squad together has been a positive for them and yet the potential for injury and fatigue is also there."