The Ibrox boss expects games against Hibernian, Dundee United and Celtic over the festive period to be crucial to their hopes of retaining the title.

But he insists recent history has shown sitting at the summit at the halfway point provides no guarantee of picking up the top prize come the end of the campaign.

He said: "It's always nice to be top of the league and you want to try to be there.

"But, last year after the Old Firm game, we were seven points behind Celtic and managed to claw that back.

"So it's not an indicator of how the league will finish. But it will certainly give us an indication of how close we are going to be after these three matches."

Rangers have been in fine form in recent league matches, recording wins against Falkirk, St Johnstone, Dundee United and Motherwell and scoring 15 goals in the process.

And Smith hopes his side are finally able to offer some consistency, having endured a difficult season so far.

He admits Rangers have been fortunate to scrape results in some matches which now allow them to head into the festive programme four points clear at the top of the table.

"You never think you are in a strong position," he said.

"We are where we would like to be, at the top of the league, but we've had spells this season where we have not played well at all and we have managed to get away with draws and one defeat at Aberdeen.

"We are pleased to be where we are, knowing the games we have coming up will probably give us as good an indication as anything about how the season might unfold after these games are played."

Rangers supporters will now be expecting their team to retain the title, while tomorrow's opponents Hibs have also got fans dreaming of big things this season.

Unbeaten in 12 league matches, John Hughes' men look all but certain to finish in the top four and qualify for the Europa League.

But with just a point separating them from second-placed Celtic and five from leaders Rangers, splitting the Old Firm is still very much a prospect.

Hibs captain Chris Hogg said: "You can't stop people having expectations.

"As a player and an individual, I've got expectations on myself and on the football club as well.

"I can only live up to my own expectations and not worry about anyone else's.

"As a football club, we can only carry on doing what we're doing, really, and that's trying to progress the football club as far as we can.

"The manager's always stated several times, as have I, we're a work in progress."

Twelve points now separate Hibs and fifth-placed Motherwell, while Dundee United are four behind the Edinburgh club with a game in hand.

Asked if United losing manager Craig Levein to Scotland this week will strengthen his own side's hold on third place, Hogg said: "Only time will tell."