Source: Team_Talk
Smith sees hallmark of champions
Ibrox boss Smith has not had his problems to seek recently, with key players sidelined through injury and suspension and the 'Boozegate' affair involving Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor threatening to overshadow the whole season.
Despite those problems, Rangers have managed to record seven wins on the trot in all competitions - their best run all term - which sees them sit at the summit of the SPL table with just three games to go.
Smith said: "We've had a situation in recent weeks where we were hit by injuries, suspensions and one or two off-field problems.
"We have managed to overcome those problems and get ourselves into a good position.
"There are good signs within the team that they're up for the challenge.
"The key factor is just to accept the responsibility of the situation that we are in.
"That's what our squad has been doing for the last few weeks and it has shown in our results. Hopefully, we can continue that."
The weekend win over Celtic allowed Rangers to move two points ahead of their arch-rivals into top spot in the SPL.
And confidence is high in the Ibrox dressing room of avoiding a similar collapse to the one which saw them lose out on the title on the final day of last season.
However, Smith has told his players now is the time for action, rather than words.
He said: "We've got a good momentum going at the moment which gives us a level of confidence that we can go on and clinch the championship after getting into a good position.
"But everybody can talk about it, it's putting it into action which is the thing that matters most.
"We have been playing well enough in recent weeks and we know we face three very difficult matches but we go into them with a level of confidence."
Rangers face a third trip of the season to Easter Road on Wednesday night to take on a Hibernian side who Smith warned would be dangerous to write off at this crucial stage.
He said: "It's difficult to play at Easter Road at any time of the season, regardless of how many games we have to play there.
"I always find it a difficult venue to get results and we showed that a couple of weeks ago.
"We managed to get a win but we had to play extremely well to get that win.
"Hibs are having a good end to the season; they have won a local derby, and I think they are a good side."
Hibernian v Rangers To Score 2+ Goals: Hibernian 7/2
