Rangers boss Walter Smith has admitted that the task ahead in the next four weeks is probably the most difficult time of his managerial career. Rangers take on Fiorentina in the semi final of the UEFA Cup on Thursday evening.

Smith told the official website: "It is just a big test, as it is for all my players. We face 11 games and we've got to win them.

"Looking just at the short term, we've got these two games against Fiorentina, plus the Celtic game at the weekend, and they are huge, huge games for us.

"On a personal basis - I make no bones about it - I never thought we would get to the situation we are now in.

"I wanted to qualify for the Champions League because it brings in a level of finance that is necessary for the club, but I had no great illusions about doing a great deal this season.

"I'd just hoped that, if we stabilised, we'd pose a greater challenge to Celtic and do something in the domestic cups.

"So to still be fighting on all fronts, as we are at the moment, has surprised and delighted me.Walter Smith instructs his team in Lisbon

"Obviously, when you make a decision to come back to a club, you hope there will be an uplift in terms of results.

"I don't think that you can prioritise. You want to try to win as much as you possibly can. I was always frightened of a situation where one (competition) could affect the other quite badly.

"So we've really just got to try in whichever particular situation we are in. I know it is an old managerial adage but we've just got to try as well as we can in each of the games as they come along."