Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes is asking the Ibrox powerbrokers to hand boss Walter Smith a new contract. Smith's current contract is due to expire in January and Mendes is eager to see the veteran tactician extend his stay with the Glasgow giants.

"I've been lucky enough to work under top managers and he is one of them. Each manager has his own style of management but he is up there," the Portuguese ace told the Daily Record.

"It was Walter who brought me here and it is a pleasure to work under him. I think everyone would agree it would be good if Walter could keep going at Rangers.

"I also talk of Kenny McDowall, Ally McCoist and Ian Durrant as the group make you feel comfortable.

"There is a connection with the group and the relationship between the manager and players is good. There are no games - everything is clear and he says it all in front of you.

"Also, I don't need to say anything about his knowledge of the game. You put all of that together within one person and you have a good manager.

"If you look at the past two-and-a-half years since Walter and his team have been back, there have been two Scottish Cups, one Uefa Cup final, one league title, one CIS Cup."