The Scottish champions are facing disciplinary action from UEFA following allegations of discriminatory chanting by their supporters during last month's Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven.

Smith was keen to stress the work the club has undertaken in recent years in a bid to eradicate the problem but expressed fears Rangers could suffer "drastic consequences" if fans do not stop singing offensive songs at matches.

He said: "I've sung songs, I've been there on the terracing as a youngster, I've done that.

"But, certainly, I wouldn't put myself in a position to do it now. That's what I would ask supporters to do.

"It's fine when you have a great club, with a great tradition, as Rangers have and people feel that's a part of it.

"But I think when there is a reaction, as there has been over the last few years, against those traditions then the people who do sing them - and I would stress that I don't think it's the majority of Rangers supporters - need to take into account that in a modern era it's maybe not acceptable for them to do so.

"Therefore they need to realise the club are going to suffer quite drastic consequences if they don't stop.

"So I would ask them, considering the problems that our club have, to take that into account and stop singing the songs that are offensive."

Rangers took a major step forward in tackling sectarianism within Scottish football with the signing of Maurice Johnston in July 1989 but Smith acknowledges there is still some way to go before eradicating the problem completely.

He said: "It's the final hurdle. Everyone told us years ago that if we signed a Catholic then that would be the end of the sectarian aspect of Rangers Football Club, because we weren't happy, and we are not happy, with that aspect of it.

"We have signed players of all religions. The club has worked extremely hard in recent seasons in the background to make sure we try to eradicate the sectarian singing aspect.

"Obviously it's not worked so therefore we have to maybe take a look at it again and find a better solution.

"If supporters love the club and they want the club to have the proper image in the modern times, then we have to give up something and they have to give up the singing of sectarian songs. That's just the way it is."

He added: "It will take a long time for it [to be stamped out].

"People, I think, are being extremely naive. The traditions and the songs and the environment you are brought up in in the west of Scotland has been there for a lot of years.

"You are not just going to turn around and make a statement and end that, there has to be continued work done and the club has worked extremely hard over the last few years to try and eradicate that aspect of it. Obviously, we will have to try harder."

Chief executive Martin Bain claimed in a statement yesterday there was a "disproportionate focus" on Rangers after news of UEFA's disciplinary case emerged.

Smith said: "I don't know what Martin said to be honest, I haven't read it yet.

"But, if you look at Martin over the period, I don't think there are many people who have done more to try and eradicate the situation than he has.

"He has worked extremely hard in the last few years and will continue to do so.

"Whether we are being picked on or not, can be anybody's opinion.

"What we know is, whether we are being picked on or not, we are going to have to do something about it and that's the biggest thing.

"Everybody who has Rangers' interests at heart - the people who run the club, the people who support the club - have got to turn around and say we don't make the rules and we have to follow what's happening just now.

"The sectarian aspect of the songs have been picked out so we have to do something about that."

Rangers have previously been fined and face a fourth punishment from UEFA in five years when their control and disciplinary committee meets in Nyon on April 28.

When quizzed about possible sanctions, such as a ban on fans travelling to away matches in Europe or games at Ibrox being played behind closed doors, Smith admitted: "We, as a club, can't afford for that to happen so we are going to have sit down and try and do something to make sure we don't have the same problem again."