Smith is believed to be close to agreeing a deal with goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski, whose Dundee United contract expires next week.

The Ibrox boss has yet to plunder the transfer market this month and, with time rapidly running out, he was keeping his cards close to his chest.

Speaking after his side's straightforward win in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, he insisted: "You are free to speculate."

Smith added: "We are actively looking for players who we think would improve the team and I've said that right from the very start of the transfer window.

"If we can find a player who we think can improve the team then we will endeavour to try to get them.

"So far, that has been a tough task. Clubs don't want to let good players go at this stage of the season. That's where we are at the moment in a situation where you are free to speculate."

Bent is currently on loan at Wigan from Charlton, and has had further experience in the English Premier League from previous spells at clubs including Everton and Blackburn.

Asked whether Bent was a player who would strengthen his current squad, Smith deftly side-stepped the question.

FIFA rules forbid a player from playing for three clubs in one season and 29-year-old Bent would fall into that category having featured for both Charlton and Wigan this term.

Rangers are already involved in a similar scenario, with Daniel Cousin's £3million switch to Fulham on hold until FIFA give the go-ahead.

"I think you will find, if you look back on Mr Bent's season, he may have played for two clubs already this season," pointed out Smith.

Speaking earlier in the day, Ally McCoist admitted to being an admirer of the player but insisted that was as far as the club's interest had gone.

However, the Rangers assistant manager did confirm interest in Szamotulski, whose arrival would allow Smith to finally sanction Roy Carroll's move to Derby.

The Rangers boss said: "Goalkeeping-wise we are in the process of trying to sign a goalkeeper, which we have been trying to do for the last three weeks and have been thwarted on a number of occasions. I'll wait and see how we get on."

McCoist had told BBC Radio Scotland: "We're definitely interested in him. I don't know how far the manager has taken it down the line."

Steven Whittaker claimed a double against St Mirren to propel Rangers seven points clear at the top of the SPL, with Chris Burke and Kris Boyd also on the scoresheet.

Title rivals Celtic are in action at Falkirk tomorrow and Smith said: "I'll feel a lot better if we still have that lead on Monday morning.

"Whether we will or not obviously depends on other results. We were just delighted that we managed to win the game because I felt it could have been an awkward game today."

Saints' cause was not aided by the sending-off of Will Haining, who was sent packing for two bookable offences after half an hour.

The first yellow card, for a challenge on Jean-Claude Darcheville, was disputed afterwards by manager Gus MacPherson.

"I don't think, at that point, there was any need for it," he said. "I don't think there had been a challenge in the game.

"It was really a nothing challenge which resulted in a yellow card which we didn't think was merited.

"I think if Darcheville had just got up and got on with the game, I don't he would have booked him. Because treatment was administered, it gave him a little decision to make."

Rangers were 3-0 ahead by half-time and MacPherson admitted: "We aren't kidding anyone on - it was damage limitation for the whole of the second half.

"From a spectacle point of view it was a non-event but we can't apologise for that because we have a job to do and I thought we stuck to it admirably in the second half."