The 2-1 reverse at Tannadice came five days after Rangers held Barcelona to a goalless draw in the Champions League.

A 3-0 win over Lyon was also followed by a defeat to Hibernian the last time they were involved in the continent's premier club competition but Smith insists today's events on Tayside were not down to a European hangover.

"The European game had nothing to do with it," he said. "The players had plenty of time to recover from the game on Tuesday night. It certainly wasn't tiredness and we saw that in the second half."

Lee Wilkie opened the scoring for United in the first half, before Daniel Cousin restored parity from the penalty spot shortly after the break.

But Rangers' joy lasted just two minutes before the hosts reclaimed their lead also through a penalty from Barry Robson.

Smith felt the performance of his players, in the second half in particular, merited something from the game.

He added: "In the first half it was a quiet start from both sides and it was disappointing to lose the goal we lost in terms of defending at a set-play.

"In the second half we stepped up, applied some pressure and got back on level terms. Then we shot ourselves in the foot by giving away a penalty.

"It was disappointing to lose a game that we put a lot into."

Rangers have now taken just one point from nine in their last three games and just seven from a possible 15 on the road this term, allowing Celtic breathing space at the top of the SPL table.

"It was a good game to watch but disappointing from our own point of view," conceded Smith.

Craig Levein took over the Dundee United hotseat a year ago and was delighted to mark the anniversary with a victory over Rangers - 12 months after beginning his reign with a 2-1 win over the Ibrox club.

"I am obviously pleased," he said. "The scoreline was the same as it was a year ago but today's result doesn't tell the real story - Rangers are a vastly improved team now and we needed to be too.

"The players did everything I asked of them and, in some cases, a little bit more."

The win allowed United to move level on points with Rangers - just three behind leaders Celtic - but Levein is refusing to look too far ahead in terms of what his players could achieve this season after suffering their fair share of disappointment in the past.

He said: "We have still got a long way to go - 27 games - so it is important to concentrate on the little things in training and keep improving on the pitch. Hopefully if we do that, it will keep us where we are."