Smith has high hopes for �3m Northern Irishman Lafferty

Walter Smith says he believes his three new strikers can provide the extra impetus his team lacked last term.

The Rangers manager has signed up Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty, while Andrius Velicka has agreed to join in July.

"I just felt we needed to show more of a competitive edge up front and throughout the squad," Smith told the club's website.

"The three new lads will give us that, and I'm sure the squad will want to do as well next season as last season."

The biggest outlay to come from the Ibrox coffers so far has been for former Burnley man Lafferty, at a cost of around �3m.

"Kyle is a young lad that I feel has a very good future," said Smith.

"I'm hopeful that he'll come in and do well in his first season, but at 20 he has time on his side.

"He may well be one for the future for us but we can only look at the present and we hope that this season he will have an influence on our team."

And the Rangers manager also outlined what the club's fans will get from the other new additions.

"Kenny Miller is obviously an experienced player who has been at Rangers before so he'll know what to expect when he comes in," he added.

"Andrius Velicka is a player I always liked when I saw him playing for Hearts.

"Watching him play I always felt he had a bit in his locker and I'm delighted that we're getting him.

"He'll add a bit of strength and power to our team."