Smith linked with Healy swoop

Smith: Linked with Healy

Walter Smith is hoping to claim the signing of David Healy and a sixth League Cup success.

Rangers are looking for someone to replace the departed Kenny Miller who signed for Turkish team Bursaspor earlier this month.

Healy, 31, is Northern Ireland's record scorer with 35 goals but has not played for Sunderland this season and was loaned out to Doncaster earlier this term.

Several Championship sides are thought to be in for his signature but he is not expected to arrive before Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final against Motherwell on Sunday at Hampden.

Congested

And despite the fact that they have quite a congested fixture list, Smith is promising to field a strong side as he hopes to retain the trophy.

"We've got a decent record in the League Cup over the last few seasons and obviously we would like to keep that going," said Smith.

"It's always a big game, it's always nice going to Hampden, it gives a lift to everyone.

"Although we've had another league game postponed, I think it adds to the semi-finals to have them at the weekend too."

Desire

Smith is due to step down as manager at the end of the term and he admits it has increased his desire to win the trophy.

"If anything it increases your determination to do well but I have always been determined to do well," he added.

"The League Cup games have always meant a great deal. When you start out at a club like Rangers, you have got to win them to stay in a job.

"People ask if you take the competition seriously, you only have to look at our record in recent years to see we want to do extremely well, and we want to do well on Sunday."