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By Andrew Dickson ANDY GORAM insists NOBODY could have turned Rangers around on the park the way Walter Smith has in the last three years.
When he returned to the club in January 2007 for a second spell as manager, the Light Blues were 17 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic and in turmoil. Goram has the utmost of respect for the man who guided him through his seven years at Ibrox in the 1990s. But even he has been staggered by the impact Smith has made as he has taken his haul of major trophies with Gers to 17. Goram said: "The way things have improved on the park in the last couple of months or so particularly sums the gaffer up. "Things weren't going so well when the team was in the Champions League earlier in the season but everyone has really picked up. "The gaffer gets a lot of credit for being a good man manager but people sometimes forget he is a great coach too. "He has had a few problems since he came back to Rangers to deal with but he has handled them all so well. "The gaffer has plenty of experience of that sort of thing and he is able to get the best out of players as a result.
"Some players need a cuddle, others need a kick and his gift is knowing how to make players excel. He has done that exceptionally well recently. "If you look at the situation we're in now, I don't think there's anyone who could have come to the club three years ago and do the same job the gaffer has done." Rangers will go into Sunday's game having not played a competitive game for 10 days after that Saints clash was cancelled last weekend. But Goram isn't worried by that and thinks the Light Blues can use the circumstances to their advantage. More than that, he feels a home win on Sunday could all but clinch a second successive title for his old team. Goram added: "I think that works in our favour. The players are all fresh and I'm sure they'll play a bounce game at some point to keep their legs moving. "Celtic have changed a few players but they're not getting the results they should be at the moment. "They'll come to Ibrox and to be honest, I think Rangers will be right to be disappointed if they get beaten. "They went to Parkhead last month and even though they got an absolute battering, they still dug in and got a draw. "If we can improve on that performance, I'll really fancy us at the weekend and if we win, I think that will seal the championship."
Celtic have selection problems ahead of the game, particularly in defence because of injuries to Glenn Loovens and Jos Hooiveld. Both men are struggling to make it whereas Rangers have a fully-fit set of outfield players to choose from.
Goram feels that could be crucial and said: "It's a massive one for Celtic because they've got a few of their most important players either out or lacking match sharpness. "When you're without your best performers in the middle of the pitch - be it your centre-halves, central midfielders or centre forwards - they're hard to replace. "The wee guys on the outside can be replaced on the wings but the guys who are more involved aren't as easy to fill in for. "At the moment, we've got a sound defence, a solid midfield and Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller are flying up front. I'm sure we can utilise that and give them a doing." http://www.rangers.co.uk
Now, despite all the financial problems at the club, he has them seven points clear ahead of this weekend's derby with a game in hand against St Johnstone.
