Work To Be Done

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WALTER SMITH is firmly anticipating a tough encounter when Rangers travel to Hamilton aiming to stay top of the SPL.

 

Rangers are in a position to move three points clear before Celtic kick off at home against St Mirren if they can beat Hamilton in the early start at New Douglas Park.

 

However, Smith is taking nothing for granted. He has been impressed with the way Billy Reid has got things going so well that the Accies are on the verge of the top six.

 

He said; "I think when you look at Hamilton at the start of the season they were in a situation where they had just achieved two very consistent seasons in the First Division.

 

"Kris BoydThey had just missed out on promotion two years ago and then got it last season so they were coming into the Premier League in good shape.

 

"That showed in the early games of the season when they were full of enthusiasm and achieved some good results.

 

"There was a period where they dropped down again but the changes that Billy Reid has made have been significant ones and it has been a terrific bit of management by him.

 

"His changes have been really good ones and he has got them into a position where they looking to push for a top six position which would be a fantastic achievement.

 

"We went one down the last time we went to Hamilton so we know that Saturday lunchtime is a very big date for us.

 

"I have been impressed with a lot of their players - and not just the young ones. I think you have to look at the team overall and they have done very well.

 

"It's their teamwork and togetherness that has got them through and as I said Billy deserves a lot of credit."

 

Rangers are likely to be along similar lines when they make the trip to Lanarkshire as the game will come too soon for injured trio DaMarcus Beasley, Lee McCulloch and Nacho Novo.