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Smith will defy Rangers boo-boys over Cousin selection

Rangers boss Walter Smith will continue defying the Ibrox boo boys and keep picking wantaway Rangers striker Daniel Cousin.

Cousin's £3m move to Fulham has been held up by FIFA red tape and the forward was booed onto the pitch as a substitute against Panathinaikos on Wednesday.

However Smith has confirmed he will continue to pick the Gabon international for as long as he remains a Rangers player.

"Cousin will be in the squad - I thought it was me they were booing. It's happened before and will happen again. I think Daniel thought they were booing me as well."

"If I'd known it would have dragged on the length of time it has he would have been involved before Wednesday.

"We had an inquiry, then we accepted the bid Fulham made. The player himself was happy to go so I don't see the problem other than the fact it has taken so long. If I'd have known that I'd have kept him playing.

"I would have thought it was relatively straightforward because other teams have had players playing for two teams and then signing for a third one. It's a continuing saga and the sooner FIFA put an end to it the better."

Smith has been criticised heavily for not making more use of Rangers goal machine Kris Boyd but the manager insists that he still has an important role to play.

"Kris has played in quite a number of the games recently and will continue to do so. He played in the previous game and then missed the game the other night but there were quite a number of players in that situation within the club.

"It's down to me to select the side," added Smith.

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