Ibrox acclaims Walter Smith as Rangers put title within touching distance

After goals from Nikica Jelavic and Kyle Lafferty earned a 2-0 win over Dundee United to leave Rangers on the brink of a third-consecutive SPL title, Smith was joined by his players on a pre-planned lap of honour around the stadium to mark his final home game in charge.

The bulk of a near-capacity crowd remained behind to thunderously acclaim the man who is now within touching distance of his 21st major trophy as Rangers manager.

After a pivotal evening of SPL action which also saw Hamilton Academical relegated to the First Division after losing 1-0 at St Johnstone while St Mirren won 1-0 at Aberdeen, and United's defeat guaranteeing Hearts third spot and a place in Europe next season, Celtic, now four points behind their great rivals, must avoid defeat against Hearts at Tynecastle tonight to ensure the title race goes to the final day of the campaign on Sunday.

Smith, who anticipates his team having to deliver him one last victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to secure the championship, expressed his gratitude to the Rangers support but stressed he is having no second thoughts about moving on.

"No, not even in the slightest," he said. "I've thought about it for a while and the time is right. There's a change of ownership and a change of manager.

"It was a nice reception tonight, I thank everyone for that. It was great for as many people to stay behind and applaud in the manner they did. I was delighted with that. I hope I get the same opportunity on Sunday as well. When you are leaving as a manager, it's usually because you've been sacked. So to get the opportunity to walk round and accept applause in that manner does of course become a wee bit emotional for you. Hopefully it will be a wee bit more emotional at the weekend.

"If we can do it again on Sunday, then maybe I'll feel it a wee bit more, knowing it's my last game. As long as we win the game, I'll be happy enough. There will be plenty of time in the future for me to reflect. The focus just now is on trying to retain the championship. I didn't think we would manage it this season and it's to the players' credit that we have got ourselves into this situation. We just have to see it out now.

"For any club to win three in a row is a great achievement and we have the opportunity to do that. Hopefully we will, but we'll have to play as well as we did tonight to overcome Kilmarnock."

Before Smith arrived in the Ibrox media room for his post-match briefing, he was preceded by his assistant and successor Ally McCoist.

It was an unscheduled appearance of McCoist's own choosing as he sought to head off any accusations that Rangers' lap of honour was inappropriate while the outcome of the title race is still undecided.

"In this season where sometimes people are picking things up wrong, I want you all to know that what happened after the match was for Walter Smith and for Walter Smith only," said McCoist.

"Our players, our team, our management are not taking anything for granted at all. In no way are we being disrespectful to Kilmarnock. The league championship is far from won. So I just wanted you to know that after the match was for Walter only."

Smith's greatest source of satisfaction on his final night at Ibrox was the collection of the three points, albeit not without having to endure some anxious moments in the second half when United placed Rangers under late pressure.

"Dundee United have always been awkward opponents for us and that was the case tonight," said Smith. "I felt we played exceptionally well for the first half hour to 35 minutes but then United came into the game just before half-time.

"Arguably in the second half they had the bulk of the play without creating a great deal of opportunities. There were a few nervy moments for us. But in that first half hour or so, we scored twice, hit the post and created other chances. I think, for that period of play, we deserved to win the game."

Asked if he would watch Celtic's match against Hearts tonight on television, Smith replied: "I don't know. The main thing was that we won tonight. We face an away match at Kilmarnock on Sunday where we can clinch the championship. It's in our own hands and that's the way we wanted it."

Dundee United manager Peter Houston saw his hopes of third place disappear and must now rely on Rangers taking the title and Celtic lifting the Scottish Cup to snatch the final Europa League place from Motherwell.

"Congratulations to Hearts for finishing third but my players can hold their heads high," said Houston. "They have been outstanding since the turn of the year. Our final ball let us down tonight and I'd like to have seen what would happen if we'd scored in the second half.

"I've got no preference as to who wins the title but, if Rangers win it now in Walter Smith's last season, he will deserve to go out a winner. He is different class.

"Jock Stein, Alex Ferguson and Jim McLean are the great managers of my time in football and Walter is up there alongside them."