A win over Dundee United today would have allowed Rangers to extend their lead at the summit to a staggering nine points but the SPL leaders left Tannadice grateful for a draw following a thrilling six-goal contest.

Celtic's defeat to Motherwell 24 hours earlier had been seen as the fatal blow to their hopes of a third successive title but Smith insists he is taking nothing for granted just yet.

He said: "Everyone was quick to say that last week's (Old Firm) game was a league decider and I was quick to point out that we do have to play other teams.

"In Scotland, I don't think we give enough credit to the amount of effort that teams put into their games.

"Rangers and Celtic never win games easily and there was always going to be points dropped against other sides, never mind against each other.

"That has happened and it was always going to be a really awkward game for us today."

And, with Motherwell, Hibernian and Dundee United all still vying for third place and a UEFA Cup spot, Smith believes there could be more difficult weekends ahead for both halves of the Old Firm.

He added: "For the last few seasons the third-place team has been in position for a period, as have Celtic in terms of being champions.

"This season, you have two teams fighting for the championship and three teams fighting for a European place. The last period of the season will always be a difficult one."

United took the lead on three occasions through Christian Kalvenes, Noel Hunt and a Carlos Cuellar own goal but were pegged back each time by Rangers thanks to goals from David Weir, Nacho Novo and Kris Boyd.

"I was a little bit disappointed with the manner in which we lost the goals but credit to everyone for the way they fought back," said Smith.

"I don't think we can argue with the result overall."

Failure to secure victory did not temper Craig Levein's enjoyment of the game, with the Dundee United manager keen to praise the efforts of his players.

"What a game, eh?" he said afterwards.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it and I was thrilled with the way we played the game.

"I was as pleased as punch because we were pegged back three times and still managed to keep going and we were the team on top at the end and looking to win the game."

Asked if similar performances between now and the end of the season can help United seal that coveted third spot, he replied: "If we play like that, yes, but it's difficult to turn in that level of performance every week.

"We are up against at least two very good teams, Motherwell and Hibs, and we aren't taking anything for granted.

"But we certainly won't fail through lack of trying, that's for sure."