RANGERS manager Wafter Smith was jubilant last night as he celebrated reaching the Champions' League for the third time in five years, his team's remarkable victory over Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia as "my best ever" in five and a half years as manager at Ibrox.
Ally McCoist scored his first European hat trick, Brian Laudrup netted twice and Peter van Vossen and Charlie Miller hit one each. Vladikavkaz were floored on an incredible 10-3 aggregate, after losing 3-1 in Glasgow a fortnight ago.
Now Rangers go into tomorrow's draw of the Champions' League with AC Milan, Ajax and Manchester United.
"I would never have expected that we would pull off such a big win here," said Smith. "Vladikavkaz have pushed Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool close in European competition in recent years and I expected it might be the same.
"We went with three forwards in Van Vossen, Laudrup and McCoist and thought we would give them problems but not as many as we did. We took all out chances in the first half and I was delighted with that.
"Yes I would say it's my best ever result in my management. It's not as if they were not a good team. They have been building up over a couple of years to win the title last season in Russia and I felt it would be a tough time. It has taken one and a half marvellous performances by us to reach the Champions' League.
Smith also praised McCoist, who will be 34 in a month's time, but has started the season with eight goals including hat tricks in his last two games.
Russian manager Valery Gazzeyev's neck was on the line after last night's result as angry Alania fans gathered outside the stadium to vent their frustration.
Police had to hold back supporters outside the ground but inside Gazzeyev warmly praised Rangers saying: "They are a good side with some very good players and they can do well in the Champions' League."
McCoist struck after only 33 seconds and then again in the 13th and 18th minutes to become the first Ibrox player to score a hat trick in Europe for 10 years.
Igor Yanovski and Nazim Suleimanov, from the penalty spot, pulled goals back for Vladikavkaz but the overall result was never really in doubt.
