But the Ibrox boss insists it is far too soon to talk about the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title being decided by the narrowest of margins just yet.

Rangers headed into Saturday's game against Hamilton 10 goals better off than Celtic and kept the pressure on the champions by securing a 1-0 win in the lunchtime kick-off.

But the Hoops responded in style by demolishing St Mirren 7-0 later in the day to remain level on points with their arch-rivals and just four goals behind, with the title race looking set to go to the wire.

"I was surprised because St Mirren were going steadily before the game at the weekend," said Smith.

"But we had a game ourselves against Hamilton earlier in the season when we scored seven, so sometimes the circumstances of games, such as an ordering-off, can go for you.

"That's what happened in our game. I wasn't at Celtic's game so I can't measure how they played but it was the same circumstance of a player being sent off and it looks as though Celtic managed to capitalise on that.

"Those things happen over the period of the season and we just have to make sure the wins are the most important thing."

Rangers play host to bottom side Inverness tomorrow night and Smith's only thoughts are securing the three points.

He added: "It's always nice to have a little bit of a gap but the most important thing is winning the game.

"I don't think we are at the stage where we can go into games thinking about goal difference. We have to think of winning.

"Teams have been fairly well-motivated against us but we have to make sure we have that as well.

"We had a difficult game at the weekend and we managed to come through that okay.

"It's a matter of continuing to meet the challenge we face in every game.

"We have to make sure we are ready for that and I don't think we will be looking at goal difference as being the factor - winning is the factor more than anything else."

Inverness suffered the first defeat of the Terry Butcher era against Motherwell at the weekend but have been rejuvenated by his arrival in the Highlands.

And Smith is relishing the prospect of going head to head with the former Rangers favourite for the first time in the dugout.

He said: "I think it's the first time we have come up against each other managerially in a competitive match so I look forward to that.

"Terry is a motivational character. He was like that as a player and I think he would bring that to any job management-wise.

"They have had a bit of lift from that and will be disappointed that they lost out at the weekend.

"But I think coming back to Ibrox again, he will have them all lifted. We are well aware of that."