The Scottish champions romped to a comfortable 4-1 win over Hamilton at Ibrox as Steven Whittaker and Kris Boyd claimed a double apiece.

Accies did find the back of the net late on through Mark McLaughlin but the result was never in doubt against a team yet to put a single point on the board so far and Smith could have had few complaints about the performance.

However, he believes a busier fixture schedule - Rangers' Champions League campaign begins in earnest next month - will help rather than hinder his team as they bid to successfully defend their crown.

"We are pleased," said the Rangers boss.

"We have had a good balance at the start with three weekend fixtures and no midweek matches to get us going this season.

"Once the international break finishes, we have a situation where we are a lot busier and I think we are needing that at this time.

"We need to be a little bit busier than we have been and we look forward to league matches, Champions League and League Cup games over the forthcoming months.

"We've had a decent start but I don't think we have reached our top level of play so far."

With 31 goals last season, Boyd was perhaps expected to be on the scoresheet against a side who had already conceded six goals in two SPL matches before their visit to Ibrox.

But the striker was matched in his efforts by Whittaker and Smith had nothing but praise for the full-back.

He said: "He has scored a few goals for us over the last couple of years he has been here. He has a good shot and a good finish and he showed that today.

"His left-foot finish in the second half was terrific."

Rangers welcomed Pedro Mendes back from injury for the visit of Accies and there was also a substitute appearance from Nacho Novo, who recovered from a dislocated shoulder quicker than anticipated.

"We thought he was going to be out for a few months but the specialists have helped him a great deal and we are pleased to get him back," said Smith.

"With the squad we've got, it's important that we keep them fit and it's important that we get Kirk Broadfoot and Maurice Edu back as quickly as we can. That will be an important factor for us."

Despite shipping another four goals, Hamilton boss Billy Reid claims there were positives to be taken from the defeat to Rangers - at least compared to their opening matches against Kilmarnock and Aberdeen.

He said: "It wasn't too bad. It was an improvement for us and you might find that hard to believe.

"The first two games of the season were really difficult for us and we didn't look like a team.

"I thought today we had a bit of shape about us and we passed the ball not too badly at times and got the goal at the end. Over the 90 minutes Rangers were the better side so I've no complaints."

Accies welcome Hibernian and Falkirk to New Douglas Park in their next two matches and Reid added: "We have two home games and we must target some points from those games. But there is no panic from Hamilton Accies - that I guarantee."