Source: Team_Talk
Gers in title-winning form - Smith
The champions continued their winning run in the league this month when they came from behind to secure a 4-1 win over Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.[LNB]The victory followed similarly impressive performances against Falkirk, St Johnstone, Dundee United and Motherwell which has seen Smith's men notch up an impressive 19 goals in five December games.[LNB]Having conceded that Rangers were failing to hit top form in the early part of the campaign, Smith insists they are now close to the heights of the latter part of last term when they pipped Celtic to the championship.[LNB]"Our season is settling down a little now," said the Ibrox boss.[LNB]"It's not easy to get a level of consistency when you are involved in the European games, especially when the results in that area aren't going too well for you.[LNB]"Domestically, we have settled down now and we are playing to a very similar level to what we played in the second half of last season."[LNB]Rangers were left reeling when Anthony Stokes fired Hibs into the lead with 12 seconds on the clock - claiming the SPL's fastest ever goal.[LNB]But the visitors hit back through a Kenny Miller double and goals from Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo to restore their four-point lead over Celtic ahead of a week which sees them welcome Dundee United, before kicking off the new year with the Old Firm derby at Parkhead on January 3.[LNB]"We have been playing quite steadily just now and we had to do that in this game," said Smith.[LNB]"After an indifferent start, we had to lift our game. We had good individual performances and a good team performance overall, which was necessary.[LNB]"Hibs haven't lost a lot of goals and I was delighted not just with scoring four but with the creation of opportunity we had as well."[LNB]Hibs boss John Hughes conceded there is now no hope of his side splitting the Old Firm this season.[LNB]Their superb start to the season had led to some observers claiming they could even challenge for the title.[LNB]But, although such honours would now appear unlikely with an eight-point gap between them and Rangers, Smith believes the Edinburgh club could still have some say in the destination of the trophy - even if it does remain in Glasgow.[LNB]"In Scotland we play each other four times which always makes it very difficult," said Smith.[LNB]"We've got two other games to play against Hibs and if you're involved in football you'll always be optimistic about taking points.[LNB]"Hibs have been a team who have played very steadily since the start of this season and there is no reason why they shouldn't continue to get good results and continue to make the games against the Old Firm, who are above them at the present moment, important matches.[LNB]"That's what they will do, I don't see them being any different from that. They will look at the two games they've got left against Rangers to claw points back.[LNB]"That's exactly what I would do if I was at Hibs and I'm sure John will do that."[LNB][LNB][LNB] Celtic 5/4, Draw 9/4, Rangers 9/4
