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Page last updated at 10:44 GMT, Thursday, 8 April 2010 11:44 UK

Rangers aim for strong title finish, says David Weir

Rangers were 3-1 winners against Aberdeen
Rangers enjoy a 13-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League

David Weir has one eye on a second successive championship now that Rangers are 13 points clear with six Scottish Premier League games left.

"It's getting closer but there is still a bit of work to be done," said the captain after beating Aberdeen.

"There is no problem with motivation. There can be no bigger motivation than trying to win a title.

"Sometimes it is hard dragging out performances but the end result will hopefully be well worth it."

Weir, who turns 40 in May, insists the players are totally focused on the task in hand, having bounced back from last week's 4-1 reverse at St Johnstone with wins against Hamilton and Aberdeen.

"We want to be playing well and we want to be winning games and they want the same but if you were to pick one or the other at this stage of the season it would be winning games," he added.

"There is a pressure building up. A lot of people have written that the title is won so that in itself is a pressure.

"We know it's not over, so that's a mental battle.

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"It's difficult and obviously we know we are getting closer but the last bit is often the hardest."

Rangers could clinch the title at Tannadice next Wednesday if closest rivals Celtic slip up against Motherwell on Tuesday.

Despite having one hand on a record 53rd championship, manager Walter Smith is refusing to look beyond that game against Dundee United.

"All I would say is it is a really good position to be in," said Smith. "I think any of the teams in the league would like to be in our own position.

"At this stage of the season, I just look at the games and take them on an individual basis.

"We have game at Tannadice which for us, and indeed for anybody this season, has been a tough ground to go and try and get a win.

"We have a break of a week which is the first time for a while we have had that luxury and hopefully it will help us in terms of rest."

Smith was full of praise for Northern Irish duo Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty after Wednesday's 3-1 win against the Dons at Ibrox.

Lafferty and Davis scored on either side of half-time, with Kenny Miller completing the win for Smith's side.

"It took something special to break them down - and Steven Davis gave us that," Smith told BBC Scotland.

"Kyle Lafferty's was certainly a goal that we needed at the time and it was an excellent one."

Lafferty netted with a fine second-half strike, adding to a blistering first-half drive from Davis to put Rangers within two wins of sealing a record 53rd Scottish Premier League title.

Lafferty, who has failed to find consistency since he arrived at Rangers in 2008, went on a solo run and fired in low to put Rangers into a second-half lead and Smith was pleased to see the £3.25m signing on the scoresheet.

"He started really well with runs, but one or two bits and pieces didn't go too well for him," explained Smith.

"Then, all of a sudden he bursts into the game - he does that, and we're finding that that's the type of player he is.

"I think sometimes there are some players who just have that little bit of 'erratic' about them. He may be one of those and I would hope people would give him a bit of time.

"It's not an easy situation for him - part of it is self-inflicted. He has to accept that part of it, but I'm hoping he'll settle a bit - he's got time to do that."

Aberdeen's Darren Mackie reduced the deficit in the 68th minute at Ibrox with a close-range effort, but Miller put the match beyond Mark McGhee's side with 14 minutes remaining.

"I knew Aberdeen would come and set out their stall to defend, which, to be fair, isn't their normal circumstance," added Smith.

"They did that, and it looked like it was going to be an awkward night."



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see also
Rangers 3-1 Aberdeen
07 Apr 10 |  Scottish Premier


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