Smith hopes Rangers can dig deep

<p><br /> Rangers manager Walter Smith has told his players they have no choice but to cope with three massive games in eight days.<br /> </p><p><br /> The Scottish champions host Sporting Lisbon in the last 32 of the Europa League, before making the trip to the east end of Glasgow to face Celtic in a hugely important Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash on Sunday.<br /> </p><p><br /> Smith's men then travel to Portugal for the second leg of their European clash, as they attempt to remain in the hunt for silverware both domestically and on the continent.<br /> </p><p><br /> The timing of the fixtures may not be ideal for Rangers, but Smith pointed out that his side were able to deal with a similar schedule in the early part of the season when they were forced to juggle domestic duties and the Champions League.<br /> </p><p><br /> "You always have to face that with the European games," he said.<br /> </p><p><br /> "We faced big games in the first half of the season after playing in the Champions League so we've got to face up to it."<br /> </p><p><br /> He added: "If you're going to be successful, it's something you have to try to overcome."<br /> </p>