RANGERS boss Walter Smith today savoured the ultimate high of his managerial career after leading his side into the Uefa Cup Final.

But, as the plaudits came in for the job he has performed in 16 months at Ibrox, Smith deflected all praise on to the players who battled past Fiorentina last night thanks to a dram-atic penalty-kick shoot out.

He becomes the first Gers boss in 36 years to take a side into a European final, emulating the feat of the late, great Willie Waddell, who went all the way in the Cup-Winners' Cup of 1972 in Barcelona.

Dick Advocaat, the man who succeeded Smith ten years ago, will provide the final obstacle in the City of Manchester Stadium on May 14.

One massive push from a squad that has given Smith absolutely everything as they pursue a Quadruple could well bring them a second European trophy.

Considering the state of events when Smith came into take over from Paul Le Guen, his work has been quite incredible.

But he said: "It's a fantastic feeling, certainly one of the proudest achievements of my career. For the chairman, the chief executive Martin Bain, all the staff and, of course, the players and fans, it's just fantastic to have a Uefa Cup Final to look forward to.

"What can I say about the players? They might lack a lot, there are things we know we have to do, and will look to do, with the team going forward.

"But they have given every- thing. I don't think there is a team that shows so much in terms of spirit and endeavour.

"We have had to come through 18 ties this season, and last night in Florence was as dramatic as anything - but we are there, and we deserve it."

Smith admits he's relishing the prospect of meeting Advocaat, who has remained a good friend over the past decade.

But he knows that the Little General will be desperate to land the silverware at the expense of his old club.

"Dick has done very well to get his side into the final, their result in beating Bayern Munich 4-0 last night saying enough about the quality he has there," Smith went on.

"It's going to be a great occasion for us going to Manchester to play the game, and Dick will want to win it as much as we do."

Smith has seen almost everything in his career, but the 60-year-old conceded that the penalties, which came after both teams failed to score in over three-and-a-half hours of football, had left him shredded.

He watched skipper Barry Ferguson miss the first kick. He then saw Neil Alexander save from Fabio Liverani, before the old gunslinger, Christian Vieri, ballooned over.

That left Nacho Novo to step forward and slot home the decisive kick, to spark wild celebrations from Tuscany, back to Glasgow and beyond.

"When it goes to penalties it's always a lottery, Smith said, "We have had to win shoot-outs against St Johnstone and Dundee United, and you wonder if maybe it's not going to be your turn this time, especially when the first one gets missed.

"But credit to the players for keeping their nerve, and to Neil, and I just hoped that Nacho could stick his away.

"It was certainly a dramatic night, right up there with some of the best. I have been lucky enough to win a lot in my career, but this is special."

Having knocked out Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and then Fiorentina - with six cleans sheets from eight games and the concession of just two goals -Smith could not have asked much more from a side still chasing a domestic Treble.

And, as the manager admits, it was certainly something he never imagined when he came back to the club.

"My main aim was to mount a challenge again in Scotland having gone two years without a trophy," Smith said. "I don't think anyone could have imagined we would get to a European final, but the players deserved all the praise for that.

"This club has to be winning things, and we have now got ourselves into a position where we can try to turn a good season into a fantastic one.

"It will not be easy from here on in as we have eight games in 23 days in three different competitions. But the one thing you can be sure of with our boys is that they will give it their very best."