Smith refuses to blame off-field issues for defeat

Walter Smith refused to blame Rangers' defeat to Dundee United on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club, with businessman Craig Whyte's proposed takeover of the Scottish champions expected to be resolved this week after months of negotiations.

Smith called for a resolution to the situation on Friday but believes the headlines surrounding Rangers' off-field issues had little to do with their 3-2 loss at Ibrox.

"I don't think so, I don't think there is any problem in that respect," he said. "We have had those types of headlines for the last three years. For us, it's not a footballing issue.

"The problem that we have - which has happened to us on a few occasions at home this season - is that we have managed to get in front and teams have pegged us back all too easily in the games.

"That's a factor that has been an ongoing problem for us."

Smith also refused to use injury problems as an excuse for the result, despite being able to name just five substitutes. He said: "It's nothing to do with today's result, it's just a fact that's what we've got. It's no reason for today's result."

With Celtic's game at Inverness earlier in the day postponed, a win would have allowed Rangers to move top of the SPL for the first time since Boxing Day, with both Old Firm rivals having now played the same number of games.

Asked if the loss to United was a major missed opportunity, Smith said: "They are all going to missed opportunities if you lose games.

"When you look at the championship overall, if you're saying that each of us with ten games to play are going to win every game, we are not going to do that. I don't think anybody has had that level of run in the championship so far. We don't want to lose a game but if people consider we will win the next ten games, we will be all right. But it won't happen like that, league championships never happen like that."

United manager Peter Houston was thrilled with the reaction from his players following their midweek Scottish Cup defeat to Motherwell.

He said: "I don't think we could have asked for a better response. I've got a group of players who will respond and who have responded in the past to a couple of dodgy results. To twice come from behind against a good Rangers side shows their resilience and determination so I can't praise them highly enough."

Houston added: "We had a fantastic support at Motherwell, we had 3,500 and we let them down badly.

"Today the loyal band of fans who follow us every week will be in their cars happy and we are delighted we have sent them home happy."

tom english