Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has hailed manager Walter Smith for the way he has turned the club around.

"You saw the mess we were in at club level. But we aimed for second with Celtic so far in front and it was a miracle that we got back at them," said Ferguson.

"To be honest, we have started this season better than we could have expected. We have a new team, with lots of players in and out, but the guys who have joined have adjusted, settled and want to be part of the team and the squad. I have always said that is a massive, massive thing. Some of them are foreign and don't speak much English, but all the new guys understand what is expected at a club our size and go out and give everything to achieve our goals."