Source: Team_Talk
Smith plays down Brown absence
The midfielder - named PFA Scotland Player of the Year last Sunday - is suspended for the final Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox on Saturday.
Smith can understand why the absence of Brown might be regarded as a major blow but claims the Scottish champions have demonstrated their ability to cope without key players in the past.
He said: "Celtic have won the championship for the last three years and they've not had all their players available to them all that time.
"They have managed to cover for the loss of players through suspension, injury or whatever and still gone on to win a championship.
"They have shown they have that capability of covering for the loss of players.
"Scott Brown has played exceptionally well for them this year, he has been a regular in their team and they may miss him.
"But they have still shown they can cover."
Like every other clash between the Glasgow giants, this encounter has not escaped the hype which surrounds the famous fixture.
Smith said: "Historically, that has been the case in the Old Firm games and you get used to it.
"I don't think it affects anyone who has handled the situation for a number of games.
"When the two teams are going for the championship in the manner we are this season it becomes a big game and it's right that it is a big match.
"So, from our own point of view, we would like to take advantage of our home game in the manner that Celtic did in the two games at the end of last season."
Rangers have won their last six matches and, according to Smith, could not be better equipped for what could be one of the most important games of the season.
He said: "It's the first time this season we have managed to go the number of games that we have without defeat so we are going into the game at a good time for us in terms of results.
"Funnily enough, we went through an awkward situation there with injury and suspension affecting us but we've managed to win the matches, which has been a good thing for us."
Kris Boyd has had a large part to play in the recent success, bringing his tally for the season to 30 goals and recently clinching his 100th goal for Rangers.
Smith said: "Kris has scored for us on a regular basis this season and it has been well-documented in the last few weeks that he has been playing to a good level as well as scoring goals.
"He has been doing well for us just now."
Rangers 13/10, Celtic 15/8, Draw 11/5
