The Scottish champions head into the weekend action with a single point advantage at the summit and knowing the destination of the silverware is back in their own hands again.

Celtic squandered the opportunity to move into pole position when they suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat in their game in hand at Inverness midweek.

And Smith believes Rangers must now be wary of the threat Hearts pose tomorrow as they bid to take another step closer to the finishing line.

He chose to watch Manchester United take on Schalke in the Champions League, rather than Celtic's match on Wednesday night, but said of the events in the Highlands: "It was something, if we were going to hope to win the championship, that was going to have to happen in our favour.

"It did happen. I've said before, don't underestimate any of the teams who play in the SPL, their level of commitment is great, and that was the case the other night.

"We have three games left and we need to overcome opponents who have been very difficult for us to beat over the season.

"Hearts have had a terrific season. They have suffered maybe more than most of us to injuries to important players.

"It has derailed their season a bit towards the end but Jim Jefferies' teams are never easily overcome.

"The games between the two clubs have been very close in recent times. We are pleased to have a home game against them but we know the difficulties that we face."

Smith fully expects nerves to be jangling as both halves of the Old Firm head into the final strait.

He said: "I hope we have a level of nerves, you've got to have that. If you want to succeed, you have to overcome those nerves.

"I don't necessarily think it makes you play badly. We've had some poor performances without having any nervousness or league championships to go and win.

"Our team have had the experience of doing it and that's going to help us going into the three games. First and foremost, we have to play well."

Smith believes his squad are in the best condition possible heading into the final three games following a long, gruelling campaign that has taken its toll at times.

He said: "In fairness to all the players, they have dug in for a lot of the season.

"We are now getting to the stage where we have had two weeks without midweek games, which is unusual for us, so there is a freshness in the team.

"That freshness as much as anything else will help us going into those last three games.

"We might be better placed now in terms of freshness and fitness than we have been at other stages of the season."