Source: Team_Talk
Smith: No changing of Gers guard
While Old Firm rivals Celtic made eight changes for their 4-0 Co-Operative Insurance Cup third-round win at Falkirk, the most notable alteration Smith made for his side's 2-1 victory over Queen of the South at Palmerston was bringing in Neil Alexander for number one keeper Allan McGregor.
Despite fielding an almost full-strength side, and, with stopper Madjid Bougherra back from suspension, arguably one that was stronger than the team that drew 0-0 with Kilmarnock in the SPL on Saturday, it took Steven Naismith's first-half strike and a late counter-attack from substitute Nacho Novo to ease them in to Thursday's fourth-round draw.
The Irn-Bru First Division side put in a sterling effort and striker David Weatherston missed good chances either side of the interval although Doonhamers defender Robert Harris did grab a consolation in the dying seconds.
Smith appeared puzzled at the suggestion that the strength of his side reflected the respect he had for the Doonhamers, who ran Rangers close in the final of the 2008 Homecoming Scottish Cup final at Hampden
"We've really only got that squad," he said.
"We haven't got many more after that team and the lads that are sitting on the bench, "We have three injured just now. John Fleck, who I thought did okay at Kilmarnock on Saturday, was out and that was about it.
"There's not a lot of rotation possible."
Smith insists he was not taken by surprise by the challenge the Dumfries side posed. He said: "I was pleased when Nacho got the goal but I think it was the cup tie that we expected to have.
"We started well in the first half-hour then there was a little bit of slackness in our play.
"Once Nacho got the second one, I thought that would give us a bit of breathing space but it was breathing space that we needed with them scoring late in the game and they possibly deserved it with the amount of opportunities that they created in the second half.
"But we expected a difficult game and they deserve a lot of credit."
Smith played down the impressive performance of deputy keeper Alexander who had one fine save in particular from Derek Holmes' overhead kick when the visitors were leading by a single goal.
He said: "He's never lets us down any time he is put in."
Gordon Chisholm thought Holmes' spectacular effort was on its way to levelling the scores but the Palmerston boss was proud of the way his side pushed the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions.
"Their keeper pulled off a couple of great saves, one from Holmes' overhead kick which I thought was going in," Chisholm said.
"That kind of killed us and the second goal finished us off.
"Young David Weatherston had a magnificent chance just before the break but unfortunately he didn't take it.
"But I've got nothing but praise for my players and the way they kept going.
"Rangers are an experienced team with a lot of internationals and they got off to a great start.
"It was difficult for us but we just had to try and get a foothold in the game in the first 20 minutes where we were chasing shadows.
"I was disappointed in the two goals in trying to step up and play offside.
"But we kept going and got a late goal but at this level you make mistakes and you are punished."
A sour note for Chisholm was the injury to veteran midfielder Stevie Tosh who was stretchered off in the second half after a challenge with Rangers midfielder Steve Davis.
He said: "He's away to hospital to get an X-ray, he may have ligament damage of the knee but we are not too sure."
