Continental break will do us good, says Smith

The Ibrox club have often found it difficult to contest midweek matches in the Champions League and then play league fixtures at the weekend, such is the limited size of manager Smith's squad.

Rangers had to come from behind for the seventh time this season to draw 1-1 in Inverness Caledonian Thistle as Kenny Miller, who later missed a penalty, notched up his 20th goal of the season in the 57th minute.

Miller's strike cancelled out Jonny Hayes' blockbuster of a shot for Caley Thistle on the half-hour mark.

Having taken on Turkish side Bursaspor only four days earlier away from home in the Champions League, Rangers struggled in the first half before dominating the second.

Smith was unhappy at yet another sluggish start but put it down to the rigours of European football once more taking its toll on his players.

Rangers still have the Europa League to look forward to come February next year and Smith is confident that, with only the SPL to concentrate on, they can make a concerted push in the defence of their title in the meantime.

"Games where we've had to come from behind to win or draw have nearly always come after a European game," he stated.

"Clearly going behind in any game is not good and perhaps we were a bit fortunate against Inverness in the sense that we covered a poor first-half performance with a terrific display in the second half.

"It seems to be typical of us that in our next game after a European match we take a while to get started.

"The majority of teams who play in the Champions League have got big squads and have the ability to change it around for their next match if they want, but we don't have that luxury at Rangers.

"The squad at Rangers is stretched, but I don't want to use it as an excuse.

"Starting games slowly is definitely something we need to rectify.

"The good thing for us now, however, is that we have a couple of months without European games, so when we come to playing SPL games we should be just as fresh as all the other teams because we are starting to play at the same time as everyone else."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher is not sure how far Hayes can go in the game after the winger floored Rangers with a sublime first-half goal.

The 23-year-old Irishman took his tally for the season to five with a searing 30-yard drive after the visitors' defence invited him to try his luck.

Hayes has been something of a revelation for Caley Thistle following his arrival on a free transfer from Leicester City in the summer of 2009 and was a major influence in helping the club to win promotion from the First Division last season.

Like many of his team-mates, he has adapted well to life in the SPL and Butcher is confident that while Hayes has all the attributes to progress in the game, he does not know quite how far he can go.

"In the dressing room, myself and the rest of the boys were saying it was a cross, but Jonny is adamant it was a shot," said Butcher.

"He's one of the most frustrating players I have ever managed simply because I just don't know how good he can be, or how far he can go, but there's no doubting he has great ability."

Caley Thistle made it five consecutive SPL games unbeaten after holding Rangers to a draw, although it could have been so different had Miller converted a late penalty, but goalkeeper Ryan Esson came to the hosts' rescue with a fine save.

"From where I was I really couldn't see if it was a penalty or not," said Butcher. "I thought the referee had actually given the foul outside the box, but he was closer than me and gets a better view of it so he gives it. However, it was a great save by Ryan Esson.

"He's in the form of his career just now and it's probably no wonder given that when he looks over his shoulder he has someone like Jonny Tuffey, a Northern Irish international, pushing him hard for a place in the team."