Source: Team_Talk
Perfect timing from Velicka - Smith
The Lithuanian has found himself back in the manager's plans after spending most of the season kicking his heels on the sidelines.
He found the back of the net at Easter Road on Sunday in only his sixth outing this term, after netting another important goal against Motherwell at Ibrox recently.
But a lack of match sharpness meant he was about to be replaced by Kenny Miller just before he made it 2-1 to Rangers as they moved back to within a point of Celtic.
Smith said: "Because of the pace of the games, you can see Steven Smith and Velicka starting to struggle a bit after an hour.
"They are getting better in terms of their sharpness but I was going to take Velicka off.
"This season at various stages we have had to bring in players who might not have played as much as they would have liked.
"But we always get a good reaction from them and there has been no problem with any of them in terms of committing themselves to the team."
A lengthy injury list has paved the way for fringe players to make their mark in the latter stages of the campaign and Smith is hoping he will not have to be without the services of Sasa Papac yet again after the full-lack limped off injured having just returned from an ankle knock.
"He has injured his knee and we will have to wait and see," said Smith. "Hopefully it will settle down."
Steven Whittaker gave Rangers the ideal start to the game when he opened the scoring after only two minutes, before Steven Fletcher hauled Hibs back into the game.
Goals from Velicka and Maurice Edu then put the Ibrox side back in the driving seat, before John Rankin set up a tense finish to the game with a late strike.
Smith was relieved to hold on for all three points and was perplexed to discover Rangers will be back at Easter Road for a third time this term after the post-split fixtures were announced after the game.
He said: "It happens in this league, you can't say you're disappointed because it has happened to us in the past going away from home three times.
"If someone could explain how it works, maybe I could understand it better."
Motherwell's defeat at the hands of St Mirren 24 hours earlier meant Hibs' top-six place was already secure regardless of the outcome of this game but boss Mixu Paatelainen insists his players still gave 100% against Rangers.
He said: "There was no pressure in terms of qualifying for the top six. Overall, we had done enough in the season to qualify for the top six and we totally merited it.
"But the boys showed determination and sharpness in moving the ball. We wanted a good performance and we got it."
Although happy with the display, the Hibs manager was disappointed to end up empty-handed.
He added: "It was a fantastic performance but you play for points so we can't be satisfied if we don't pick up the points."
