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Page last updated at 22:11 GMT, Friday, 30 April 2010 23:11 UK

Defender Stevie Smith expects to leave Rangers

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Defender Stevie Smith braced for Ibrox exit

Rangers left-back Stevie Smith expects to leave Ibrox in the summer but aims to go out on a high by securing a league winner's medal.

Smith, who needs to make one more appearance to earn a medal with the SPL champions, is likely to fill in for the suspended Sasa Papac.

"I've not spoken to the club for a while now and it looks as though I'm going to be moving on," said Smith.

"Hopefully, I've got a chance of getting that appearance."

Smith, who has been at Ibrox since 2002, has been unable to dislodge Papac from Walter Smith's side and has been plagued by a pelvic problem.

But the left-back is likely to face Dundee United on Saturday in the Bosnian's absence and could also feature in next Tuesday's Old Firm derby.

It looks like I'll be moving on but I've been fortunate to have had eight great years here

Stevie Smith

"I'm just going to concentrate on finishing the season strongly here and make a decision on my future in the summer," said Smith.

"It looks like I'll be moving on but I've been fortunate to have had eight great years here. It will be difficult but all good things come to an end.

"Everybody gets to a stage in their career when they need to think about moving on."

Smith said his injury problems had made him more determined to make an impact at a new club.

"Injuries happen in football and I was just unfortunate that I got a really bad one that kept me out for a long time," he said.

"But I believe in that period of time that I became a better person and a better player as well. It's just that I need eight, nine, 10 games on the bounce to show people that and I've not had that here.

"Moving on is probably the best thing for both parties. Wherever I end up, they are going to get a hungry player, a player with fresh ideas who is hungry to succeed."

Smith hopes to emulate former team-mates Ross McCormack, Charlie Adam and Chris Burke, who have all enjoyed success in the English Championship since leaving Rangers.

"The boys who have left here have done really well in England because they have all grown up here and, when you grow up here, you are taught to be a winner," said Smith

"Hopefully, that's what I'll take away with me from here."



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see also
Dundee United 1-2 Rangers
01 May 10 |  Scottish Premier
Smith plays down Ibrox exit talk
03 Dec 09 |  Rangers
Smith targeting Old Firm return
14 Apr 08 |  Rangers


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