The Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders were subjected to a 4-2 reverse at Tynecastle in a match they never looked liked winning.

The capitulation was in stark contrast to the commendable performances Rangers have offered in both domestic and European competition until now.

And, despite dropping only their first points of the season, Smith fears a repeat could provide Celtic with the impetus required to go on and eventually claim their third consecutive SPL title.

Andrew Driver and Ibrahim Tall gave the home side a comfortable lead heading into the break, before Daniel Cousin pulled a goal back from the penalty spot.

Michael Stewart then restored the two-goal advantage, also with a penalty, before Kestutis Ivaskevicius put the game well and truly beyond Rangers, despite a late strike from DaMarcus Beasley.

"We can only hope from our own point of view the first 25 minutes is something we have got out our system now and we can revert to something like normal," said Smith.

"Only time will tell. Our hopes are to stay in a challenging position in the championship and that defeat obviously puts a question over that.

"We have aspirations to mount a better challenge in the championship than we have done in previous years. If we continue to defend in the manner we did do in the first 25 minutes, then we won't do so.

"It was disappointing but hopefully we will get over it."

Smith also defended his decision to name Barry Ferguson on the bench, following the skipper's exertions for Scotland in Paris midweek.

He said: "We have been leaving a lot of players out since the start of the season because we have a fair number of games.

"It's absolutely unfair to ask some, especially midfield players, to play in the amount of games they have. That was the situation we felt was best today and obviously we have to look at that as we go along.

"Barry, personally, will have a hell of a number of games to play between now and the end of December."

Smith added: "He didn't ask to be rested - it was my decision to put him on the bench today. If you're looking at the game, it wasn't exactly a midfielders' playground, was it?

"The ball went from back to front and he doesn't header the ball. If he did, maybe that would have been a part of it."

Hearts' Lithuanian contingent were the driving force behind today's win and assistant head coach Stephen Frail believes they were galvanished by the criticism aimed at their national team, and Saulius Mikoliunas in particular, over the last seven days.

Mikoliunas, who sat out the visit of Rangers with a hamstring strain, is at the centre of a diving storm after winning a dubious penalty against Scotland at Hampden last week. The incident is now being investigated by UEFA who have charged Mikoliunas with misconduct.

"I think the Miko thing might have galvanised the team," said Frail. "There had been a lot of criticism, and rightly so, but it went way over the top and pulled the team together.

"Miko was close to playing and we gave him until the last minute. It was a genuine injury, he came off after 30 minutes against the Faroes Islands in midweek, otherwise he would have been in contention."

As well as the seven yellow cards dished out by referee Mike McCurry at Tynecastle, Frail and Rangers number two Ally McCoist were also warned by match officials following an angry exchange shortly before half-time.

"Handbags," laughed Frail afterwards. "I don't think it would have been a great fight. It's one of those things that happens on the touchline. In the heat of the moment silly things are said."