Naismith expects Saints to be tough hurdle in Rangers' title race

STEVEN NAISMITH admits no-one would have predicted just how far ahead Rangers would be in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League title race at this stage of the campaign.

The Scottish champions head into tonight's clash at St Johnstone knowing that victory will take them 13 points clear at the top.

A win at McDiarmid Park in the re-arranged fixture would also take Rangers to within potentially three games of retaining the championship – a statistic few would have believed when they embarked upon the defence of their crown.

"I don't think a lot of folk would have believed it," said Naismith.

"Celtic had a new manager as well and that makes it a bit tougher.

"But we knew what we had to do, we did it last year and we knew the boys were capable.

"That's why we have not been fazed by not having new faces coming in, we have just plodded along and got the results we needed."

However, the attacking midfielder fully expects Saints to try to knock Rangers off course tonight.

Naismith added: "We went there earlier in the season and it took a late goal from Sasa Papac to get us the win.

"It's definitely going to be a tough game. They have done well, they have come into the league this season and shown they are no push-overs and I'm sure they will be in the league next year."