The Scottish champions were held to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox after Maurice Edu's opener was cancelled out by substitute Eric Odhiambo's 81st-minute effort.

Smith's men were aiming for 10 wins out of 10 in the SPL - which would have resulted in the club's best start to a season in 112 years.

Instead, it was the Highlanders who maintained their own impressive record of remaining unbeaten in the league away from home for almost a year.

Smith said: "We're disappointed. We started well but after the first 20 minutes, it was not one of our better performances.

"We got a little bit casual and slack before half-time and that gave us something to say at half-time. It was the same in the second half and we eventually lost the goal.

"Of course we then showed a decent reaction but we didn't get one back. We have no complaints - we didn't deserve to take full points."

Rangers have been forced to contend with a gruelling fixture schedule as they battle to defend their title, remain in the domestic cups and challenge in the Champions League.

But Smith said: "I don't think tiredness was a factor. For a change, we scored first so maybe that was one aspect.

"I'm just disappointed. Credit to Inverness. In the second half, Allan McGregor had one great save to make and it should have been a warning for us but it wasn't."

Asked whether a busy schedule, combined with a small squad, means such results are to be expected this term, the Rangers boss replied: "I'm not so sure it's to be expected.

"We have a lot of games and it will be difficult. If you want to use that as an excuse on our behalf, fine. But I'd rather be involved in the Champions League."

Edu was withdrawn at half-time with a calf injury sustained earlier in the game, while Vladimir Weiss also missed the second half with a heel problem that was troubling him in the warm-up.

Both players are now rated doubtful for Tuesday's Champions League game against Valencia at the Mestalla, as Rangers bid to remain unbeaten in that competition.

Inverness boss Terry Butcher was the happier of the two managers and revealed the club had more than just the result to celebrate.

He said: "Grant Munro's wife Krista has just delivered a baby girl Rose on Friday so we were like 24 expectant fathers waiting on the news.

"He's had a fantastic weekend and we wanted to make this a special one.

"Rose was born on Friday and we drew with Rangers and took points off them for the first time this season on Saturday so it's been a great weekend.

"There was no pressure on us here and we showed that, I'm really pleased with the result."