I write to congratulate Walter Smith and his Rangers team on what they have achieved, and to express my hopes for next season.

Firstly, we should not forget the disarray of the Paul Le Guen era at Ibrox and recognise just how far Rangers have come since then. Walter correctly identified the immediate need for a trophy and has duly delivered.

Without spending a fortune, he has triumphed in two out of the four competitions entered, and finished runners-up in the other two.

All in all, Walter has had a very successful season with the squad available to him.

I hope next year will bring a more attractive, attacking style from a stronger team, leading to qualification into, then beyond, the Champions League group stages, and, finally, the league title.

Mike Baptie, Banff

Having just watched
Ally McCoist describe Kris Boyd as a "big- game player" and the "best in the business", could Walter Smith then explain why, contrary to his assistant manager's opinion, he has left the striker out of the "big games"? The ones where Rangers could have done with a goal or five (such as Thursday night, having scored within four minutes on Monday).

It has now been shown that without Boyd's goals against Dundee United and Queen of the South, Rangers would, in fact, have had a trophyless season.

Phillip Tasker, by e-mail

Yet again Rangers miss out on another championship. Walter Smith should be given credit for bringing the team so far in such a short time but cannot escape some criticism for tactics and team selection at times.

Fatigue was obviously a factor in some of the jaded performances but why then was a talented player like Thomas Buffel left on the sidelines? Perhaps there was a financial penalty in playing him, but that price seems minimal when set against the loss of the league.

Bob MacDougall, Kippen

Humble pie
Some weeks ago you printed a letter of mine in which I was highly critical of Gordon Strachan. I am utterly delighted to eat humble pie and admit I was wrong.

Neil J McDermott, by e-mail