Source: Team_Talk
Gers boss wary of wounded Hearts
Smith's men return to SPL action less than a week after surrendering the Co-operative Insurance Cup to Celtic.
Hearts, meanwhile, travel to Ibrox on the back of last weekend's defeat at Hibernian.
Both clubs are looking to put the disappointment of losing to their arch-rivals behind them as quickly as possible by picking up three points.
And Smith knows that will make Hearts especially dangerous.
"They lost at Easter Road and have to come to Ibrox on Saturday," he told Rangers World.
"They'll be determined to make up for the loss in their derby."
Rangers have another reason for wanting to make amends this weekend, having allowed Celtic to reclaim top spot in the SPL two-and-a-half weeks ago when they suffered a shock home defeat by Inverness.
Smith said: "Hearts have been doing extremely well this season so that's as good a game for us to get as any.
"We're at Ibrox and hopefully we can make that count.
"We had a disappointment there last time out in the league to Inverness Caley and we face a very difficult game at the weekend.
"After losing, you're always looking for a good reaction from your team.
"Hopefully, we'll get that."
Hearts have one of the meanest defences in the SPL and Smith is hoping Rangers fans do not allow their recent frustrations to spill over if Saturday's game proves a difficult one.
He added: "I've always worked on the premise that the team has to play well enough to get the fans behind them.
"Then the support will get behind the team and I'm sure they will do between now and the end of the season.
"It always helps when that's the case."
Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo is aiming to take advantage of Rangers' defensive crisis this weekend.
Smith is struggling for central defenders, with Madjid Bougherra still battling to overcome a calf problem, David Weir suspended and Kirk Broadfoot feeling the effects of a foot injury.
Hearts beat Rangers at Tynecastle in their most recent encounter in November and Laszlo is optimistic of pulling off another shock.
"Inverness showed beating Rangers at Ibrox is a possibility," he said.
"I know in the middle he has a little bit of a problem. Bougherra is out and also the central defender (Weir) got red-carded against Inverness.
"We can talk about our striker but the system is always dangerous. If we can score goals, we can get the points."
Laszlo has injury problems of his own, though, with Andrew Driver set to miss out with a hamstring problem.
"I think he can play but it's a big risk," Laszlo said. "This is one game and then we have the international break.
"It is better for Driver and the team to have him for the next eight games."
Laryea Kingston is also out with a hamstring strain, which saw him travel to Germany for specialist treatment this week.
And Laszlo argues a winter break could reduce the number of muscle injuries in Scottish football.
"The medical team told me this comes from the ground when it goes soft and hard," he said.
"But we must be careful in the future to prepare players.
"It's hard for a player when you don't have a break in the winter - maybe three weeks off."
Rangers 2/5, Draw 10/3, Hearts 8/1
