WALTER SMITH will find out everything he needs to know about his Rangers squad ahead of a momentous March.

Five games in two weeks against Hibs, Celtic, Aberdeen and Osasuna will no doubt shape the season - and maybe cement Smith's thoughts on one or two players' futures.

The Uefa Cup matches against the Spaniards will take care of themselves. If Rangers can get into the last eight - and they have nothing to fear - it will be a great boost, a tremendous achievement.

But the SPL games against that trio are so crucial. Second place is more important than European glory in terms of the money on offer from the Champions League next season.

Hibs are always tough and raise their game whenever the Old Firm call.

Celtic at Parkhead is as hard as it gets.

And Aberdeen will just not be shaken off in the battle for the runners-up spot.

So these are massive matches for Rangers. They have to reproduce the kind of effort and peformance levels shown against Hapoel last week. If they do that, these SPL crunchers should hold no fears.