Rangers boss Walter Smith is confident fans' disgruntlement with the running of the club will not affect performances on the pitch. Supporters' groups planned to protest against the influence of Lloyds Banking Group ahead of Saturday's game against Hearts. But Smith said: "That has surrounded us now for a long time and I don't think it's going to have any great effect on the team in any way, shape or form." He added: "If people want to do that, it's a democratic society and there is nothing we can do to stop it. But it doesn't affect the team a great deal anyway." His views were echoed by midfielder Kevin Thomson, who added: "It's just one of those situations we are in as players. "We all read the newspapers and we all watch the news. It's been well-documented how tough a time it is for everyone, not just for Rangers. "As players, we need to just keep on playing, keep working hard and hopefully, if we can bring success as a team on the park, it will help ease things off the park. "For a player, when the atmosphere is fantastic at Ibrox and the punters are behind the team, it's great. "Whatever the punters do off the park with regards to the club's finances doesn't affect the players. All the players want is for the punters to support the boys and get behind the team." More...