Kris Boyd grabbed the only goal of today's game against Hibernian to seal all three points and reduce the deficit ahead of the Scottish champions' trip to Falkirk tomorrow.

The win was the ideal boost ahead of next Saturday's highly-anticipated lunchtime clash at Ibrox, which could play a role in the eventual outcome of the title race this season.

But, despite dropping points in recent matches, Smith claims his Rangers side would have been more than ready to face their arch-rivals regardless of the outcome of the visit of Hibs.

"I think we are confident enough," he said. "We are at home and we have been playing very well.

"We hope that everyone is fit and well - and it looks as though they are - so we are looking forward to the game next week after getting through what I thought was a very tough match."

Boyd has not featured at all in the last five meetings with Celtic and Smith was quizzed on whether he now feels the striker is a player he can rely on in the big matches, having now netted in his last six outings.

"He has been scoring goals all the time just now so hopefully he can continue to do so in all the games we have this season," said Smith.

A superb overhead kick from Boyd with just over an hour gone proved to be decisive against a Hibs side who were the last Scottish team to leave Ibrox with maximum points more than a year ago.

Smith added: "It was a difficult 90 minutes for us but I expected it to be.

"Hibs have been doing well in recent weeks, they have been very solid and they were very well-organised today.

"They set their stall out to defend well and they did so. They restricted us to a couple of opportunities in the first half but we had a lot of pressure.

"It was always going to be one of those games where we would have to rely on something a little different and it was a terrific finish from Kris Boyd which eventually won us the game.

"It was never going to be an easy afternoon for us and it turned out that way."

Yves Ma-Kalambay produced a couple of decent saves to deny Boyd in the opening minutes and Pedro Mendes late on and Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen praised his goalkeeper afterwards.

"He was fantastic," the Finn said.

"To be honest, I can't remember any excellent saves from him but he was a safe pair of hands.

"All credit to the defence and the midfield for limiting Rangers' options. It was just that one set-piece that we should have defended better but good teams punish you."