Gers to finally get Alan Smith?

ALAN SMITH is lapping up the chance to join Rangers on a pre-season tour for the first time even though the likelihood is he won’t play in either of their games abroad.

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The Republic of Ireland youth international travelled to Bristol and Germany as part of a 22-man squad at the weekend.

In truth, he was included in the party as a precaution having met up with the group at the end of Gers’ northern tour last midweek when Cammy Bell was hindered by a knee problem.

It ultimately ended up being a fruitless journey for the 20-year-old as Bell was fit enough to play the second half of the 1-0 win over Elgin at Borough Briggs.

Nevertheless, there was enough concern over the ex-Kilmarnock player that Smith was kept in the first-team pool for the match at Bristol City and the trip to Marienfeld near Bielefeld.

Smith has worked hard with coaches Jim Stewart and Jim Henry, as well as fellow keepers Bell and Scott Gallacher, over the last few days.

And he’s relishing the opportunity to continue his education with the club on the continent even if it seems he’ll have to keep waiting for a game in Ally McCoist’s team.

Smith said: “It’s a bit of a step up from last season and the season before and it is tough. The sessions we’ve done have been hard but very beneficial.

“It can only be a good thing for me to be out here with the squad. When you’re a young goalie, any experience you can get is helpful.

“Training with the group and being in that kind of environment is what you need when you’re looking to develop.

“I’ve got two really good keepers here ahead of me, as I did last year with Neil Alexander and Scott, and training with them is great for me.

“As well as developing my game, it lets me see what would be expected of me if I had to step up into the side.

“Whoever it is that’s ahead of me, I know I’ll learn from them. Every goalkeeper is different and you pick up different things from each of them.”

 

Looks like wan of them. Walks like a Neanderthal, mouth breather....definitely wan of of them.

Good luck to him though. Think that mccoist wants another keeper as back up to bell.

 

Surely Jig's versatile enough to be a backup goalie?