Walter Smith will base decision on his Rangers future along personal and professional lines

WALTER Smith last night insisted a decision on his future at Rangers is not solely dependent on the outcome of the club's attempts to sort out their financial problems.

The Rangers manager held a meeting with chairman Alastair Johnston yesterday before his team drew 3-3 with Motherwell at Ibrox in their final game of the season and received the SPL trophy.

But Smith, who has been working without a contract since January, says personal issues will play as significant a part in whether he remains at the club as any resolution to the ongoing uncertainty over London property developer Andrew Ellis' possible takeover, or the fiscal restrictions placed on the Scottish champions by bankers Lloyds TSB. "I spoke to Alastair today, but I think everyone is getting the wrong end of the stick regarding my future," said Smith.

"My decision is not entirely based upon everything that is going on at the club. If it had been, I would probably have left a year ago.

"The decision will partly be a personal thing, as much as anything else. I'm not trying to evade the question, but there are a whole range of aspects I need to consider before I make a decision. Obviously, I will need to make that decision shortly because everything at the club has to be stabilised.

"The chat with Alastair was just general, about how I felt about the situation at the club.

The banks, despite what they say, are effectively running the club and can continue to do so unless the club gets a buyer."

While Smith took time out from pondering his future to savour Rangers' trophy presentation celebrations last night, Motherwell manager Craig Brown was left to rue his team's failure to secure fourth spot in the SPL and guaranteed Europa League football next season. Hibs' victory over Dundee United at Tannadice meant Motherwell's point at Ibrox was not enough and they now need Dundee United to win the Scottish Cup final on Saturday if their fifth-place finish is to take them into Europe.

"I'd like to congratulate Hibs on securing the European place first of all," said Brown. "With the way they started the season in particular, they deserve it. I thought we had the opportunity to overtake them but it's not to be. I'm pleased for big John Hughes who is a good lad and a pal of mine."

Brown, who has been a marked success at Fir Park since replacing Jim Gannon as manager in December, is hopeful he and his assistant Archie Knox will have the chance to lead Motherwell next season.

"My situation is just like Walter Smith's," said Brown. "Archie and I are working without contracts but we're grateful to Motherwell for giving us the opportunity to come back here.

"We haven't signed anything but some time ago there were discussions with the club for us to stay on. We'll look at things in the next couple of weeks and have a wee chat but I don't think it's an issue.."

Rangers' celebrations continued last night as the club received a hat-trick of honours at the Scottish Football Writers' Association awards dinner in Glasgow. David Weir, who is 40 today, was presented with the player of the year, while Smith was manager of the year and Danny Wilson young player of the year.