Source: Team_Talk
Alexander axe was harsh - Smith
Allen McGregor's Ibrox future was thrown into doubt in the latter stages of last season when he was dropped in the wake of the infamous "Boozegate" affair which ended his Scotland career.
Those indiscretions paved the way for Alexander to take over between the sticks at Ibrox and the stand-in goalkeeper rarely put a foot wrong as Rangers went on to clinch the SPL title and Scottish Cup.
However, Smith made the controversial decision to hand the number one jersey to McGregor for the 4-1 win over Falkirk - the second time Alexander has found himself back out in the cold after previously deputising to great effect when McGregor was injured the season before last.
"It was a managerial decision, it was an awkward one but you just have to make them," said Smith.
"In many ways it was a little bit unfair on Neil Alexander because of the fact that he has come in and played exceptionally well for us.
"Both our goalkeepers know that if they are playing, they have to show good levels of form if they are going to stay in the goals.
We are fortunate to have two good goalkeepers at the present moment.
"When I got Neil Alexander, I got him to come in as back-up to Allan McGregor and I think he has now moved up the scale in terms of that.
"I would have no hesitation in putting him in the goal, therefore we have a level of competition for that position.
"Neil will take it badly and if I was him I would take it badly as well. There's not a lot any of us can do to alleviate that aspect of it.
"But he has got himself into a position where he knows if Allan doesn't reach the required level then we have got absolutely no hesitation in putting him in."
The scoreline flattered the defending champions who found themselves pegged back when Carl Finnigan cancelled out a terrific opener from Lee McCulloch.
Kenny Miller then struck twice to end any hopes of another comeback from the battling Bairns before Steven Naismith put the gloss on the win late on.
Smith singled out Miller for praise, insisting: "I thought he was excellent today. He played very well for us.
"I was a little bit disappointed for him that he didn't manage to get a hat-trick as he had a few opportunities to do so. He got a couple of goals and got our third when we were needing it at the time."
Smith was also impressed by the efforts of Naismith, who now appears to be back to his best having put his injury woes behind him.
The Rangers boss said: "He has been doing very well in pre-season and he is one I hope settles down. He is a boy I think can come in and do very well for us.
"I was disappointed when he got injured. But he is ready now and I thought he played very well in spells of the game today."
Despite the defeat, new Falkirk boss Eddie May is confident he has the players to remain in the SPL this season after flirting dangerously with relegation last term.
However, he admits he could soon be without one of his prized assets after revealing interest from the Championship for Scott Arfield.
He said: "I've had a number of enquiries this week about Scott Arfield. If the opportunity comes along for Scott to go and enhance himself and better himself and, if it's the right money, we won't stand in anybody's way.
"That's what we have tried to set out to achieve in the last six years - produce our own footballers, get them to a better level and sell them on. That keeps us going as a football club.
"We are not hiding that fact. But the money hasn't been right for Scott. There are four Championship teams at this moment in time bidding and everybody knows about the Hamilton bid - but if that was the case I would buy him myself!"
He added: "I think we will cope within the league, we've got decent players. We just need to get them on the ball and create stuff and, if we can create stuff and we are a bit more ruthless in our defending, I think we can definitely stay in the SPL."
