Smith has no regrets about adopting the style of play which resulted in Rangers being accused by Barcelona's Lionel Messi of playing "anti-football".

And the former Scotland boss believes Rangers might have enjoyed greater European success during his first spell in charge at Ibrox, in the 1990s, if he had put the brakes on opposition teams back then.

Smith's side have seven points from their five Group E matches to date, and another point on Wednesday against Lyon would carry them into the last 16, as runners-up to Barcelona.

They have employed a 4-1-4-1 system which is designed to frustrate but features players capable of making swift breaks.

Smith told www.leaguemanagers.com, the League Managers' Association's official website: "When I was at Rangers previously and we were involved in the Champions League I was inclined to approach the games with a very similar tactic to those that we play in the domestic league.

"Maybe at that stage I should have looked at maybe changing the tactic a little bit and becoming a little bit more difficult to beat.

"This time we have set out, and I make no bones about it, to be a difficult team to beat and so far that has held us in good stead.

"I think any team to make progress has to loosen up a little bit and we're getting to that stage where we can approach the games in a bit more of an attacking sense.

"The basic part of it has been to make sure that we've been difficult to beat and then try and attack at any given time that we can and that has been successful for us so far."

Smith saw his side win 3-0 against Lyon in France earlier in the season.

The result was wholly unexpected but has been a catalyst for Rangers who are looking to join Celtic in the next round.

The Scottish Premier League allowed Rangers to have a free weekend by postponing yesterday's scheduled match at Gretna, and Smith is heartened by such support.

Now the time is fast approaching for Rangers to fulfil their side of the bargain by showing the benefit of going without a game.

There are no fresh injuries thanks to the SPL's gesture and Rangers are looking for a result which will lift Scottish club football's standing in Europe.

"I think for a country as small as Scotland it is important that they try to keep up the European coefficient," he said.

"Celtic have been doing well in that respect over the last few years and hopefully one or two results that we have got this season ourselves would add to that.

"I think it's important for smaller countries that they take a look at giving every opportunity to the teams that play in Europe."

(reopens)

Smith has rejected suggestions his weekend trip to see Lyon in action against Caen was a futile exercise.

Lyon manager Alain Perrin rested several key men for Saturday's Ligue 1 clash, with Juninho, Sidney Govou, Karim Benzema and Fabio Grosso notable absentees.

All four seem certain to come into the side to face Rangers, and were named in the travelling squad today.

Smith told www.rangers.co.uk: "Lyon left out three or four players who I have no doubt will play on Wednesday.

"But we got a bit more information on them and it is always good to see some live action rather than watch a video of them.

"It gives you a certain view of the game and I wouldn't say it was a wasted trip. That is never the case."