From Lindsay Herron in Sydney.

CRAIG MOORE is hoping Walter Smith is able to bolster his squad for the defence of the SPL title but insists there has never been a better time for young players at Rangers.

Moore won 12 major honours during his time at Ibrox and played in an era when money was no object.

Now the financial parameters are much tighter and Oz knows it's going to be tough for Smith if he can't add to the pool, especially if injuries kick in.

Moore, working for TV company Fox Sports at Rangers' matches in Australia, said: "The financial situation is very different at Rangers these days. In the earlier years of my career David Murray had massive ideas and ambitions, especially in Europe.

"I think it was his dream to win the Champions League but it's an expensive game when you spend the money he did and you don't have the success at the end of it.

"So Rangers are now in position where they have had to change and this summer they have off-loaded four or five very good players.

"It's hard to get players in because of the finances so it might be that they will need to look at loans as I'm sure there will be a few clubs with players available.

"You look at the squad he has with him here and it's a bit light. He has a good starting 11 but when you look outside of that there are a lot of young boys.

"It's obviously a good opportunity for the young ones and hopefully they can step up but you would like to think Walter can add some depth to the squad."

Moore was thrilled to meet up with old friends and he certainly hopes that his old team can go on and achieve a third successive Scottish crown.

He said: "It was certainly great to meet up with the lads again - but they brought the weather with them.

"The conditions were terrible and it certainly wasn't good for a game of football.

"I thought they were impressive against Blackburn last Sunday. They knocked the ball about well and there was great movement off the ball too.

"The Sydney game was different. The first half wasn't great but they picked it up in the second half but the conditions didn't help them.

"I still follow the results. I had so many successful years there that I certainly keep and eye on what's going on.

"It was great to see the boys win the title last season and hopefully the can defend it in the season and keep Celtic at bay again."

Moore has now called time on his glittering career which also saw him play for Borussia Moenchengladbach and Newcastle United and he went out at the top by representing Australia at the World Cup.

He said: "To go out the way I did by playing at my second World Cup was great. You would always rather go out at the highest level rather than someone tapping you on the shoulder to tell you it's all over.

"I have only just retired and I haven't really decided what path I want to go down. I certainly want to remain in football and I'll be taking on my coaching badges.

"But it has been nice doing the TV work at the Sydney tournament."

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