Next season, however, will need to see a change in direction from Smith that covers more than just the financial side of the club's running. Walter has a fondness for two types of player; robust, strong players (typically centre-halves or central midfielders) and players who are adaptable enough to cover a variety of positions. On Smith's return we were in the doldrums - coming off the back of a third place finish in the league and in the middle of a season that looked like equaling that 'feat' we needed to spend money on players capable of fulfilling a wide number of roles within the team. Players like McCulloch were used in several positions, as were Broadfoot, Whittaker and (latterly) Miller and while this tactic was undoubtedly successful it left us with a squad lacking in real consistency. The reasons behind Smiths decision to utilise adaptable players is extremely understandable. It allowed him to bring in fewer new faces while covering more positions, it allowed him the luxury of having cover for all areas of the park for the least number of players and it meant that if a player or two did not settle well into their new surroundings we had players ready to step in and do a job.
With a much smaller squad next season we are going to see youth players feature more than probably ever before. I personally find this prospect exciting, not only because i like the idea of seeing young men brought up at the club progress to have good careers, but because the move signals that an end is in sight to the boom and bust mentality of seasons past. With this expanded use of kids, though, comes a responsibility that Smith must consider. McCulloch is a pro of long standing, he has a wealth of experience in the Scottish and English game and has in effect 'been there and seen that'. Asking him to play in roles he may not be familiar with is no risk to the player himself, he will either fail or succeed and either way his standing in the game will remain unaffected.
Fleck, Wilson and the rest of the kids do not have that luxury. If Smith is to use the youngsters he MUST use them in their correct positions. They are young and still learning the game, but they will have had, from a young age, a position that they have been working towards, a position that they are most comfortable playing in. If they are utilised out of position then their chances of stepping up and making the grade are significantly reduced. The exuberance of youth will carry these young players through most tests - the gallousness and confidence that an upbringing at the premier club in the country will have given them will mean that they all have a belief in themselves - but if they are thrown into games in unfamiliar roles then real dangers could be waiting.
The Rangers support is one of the best in the world but one thing that it does not have is patience. The youth players will be afforded some leeway, but a handful of poor performances will see calls for the players to be dropped. This will lead to a drop in confidence from the players, a personal questioning of their own ability and it could see their development set back by long periods. Playing young players out of position will simply increase the risk that they do not come into the squad and make an immediate impact, or worse, it could see them perform poorly. Fleck was played on the left at times last season, it stifled his natural ability and you could visibly see his confidence drain as mistakes crept into his game. A repeat of that scenario could be damaging on the lads career and it is an easily avoidable risk.
The reduced squad will still have enough seasoned pros to cover most positions: with that in mind the youth players must be allowed only to play in their natural positions. Any temptation to shuffle them around to plug gaps or simply to get them on the park needs to be ignored. They will be far better served watching from the bench than playing in a position that might set back their progress significantly, and Rangers as a club will see the benefits in the coming seasons.
Smith has a great record with the club, his trophy haul is outstanding and he is well known as a popular figure with the players and the support. His next test is a somewhat unfamiliar one to the man, the cultivating of raw talent into professional footballers. He has earned the right face the challenge, and it is vital, with so much at stake, that he gets it right. My money is on him doing just that.