Rangers moved 13 points clear at the top of the SPL table after a 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox.
Smith's side now 13 points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic
Rangers moved 13 points clear at the top of the SPL table after a 3-1 victory over out-of-form Aberdeen at Ibrox.
Steven Davis set Gers on their way to another three points by opening the scoring midway through the first half and Kyle Lafferty added the second on 65 minutes.
Aberdeen, who had won just once in their previous 13 matches in all competitions, got back into it through Darren Mackie before Kenny Miller notched a third for the leaders 14 minutes from time.
The Rangers team sheet probably raised a few eyebrows ahead of kick-off as top goalscorer Kris Boyd was named on the bench and Lafferty was drafted into the team in the wide left position, with Steven Naismith partnering Miller up front.
The omission of Boyd - who has now failed to find the back of the net in 540 minutes of SPL football - was the only change from the side who ground out an unconvincing victory over Hamilton at the weekend.
Having lost to struggling Kilmarnock, it was no real surprise to see Dons boss Mark McGhee make changes for the visit to Glasgow, with Steven MacLean back from suspension and Mackie and Jerel Ifil also added to the side.
Rangers looked lively in the opening spell with Miller and Naismith combining well enough up front without causing too many problems for Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, who had kept clean sheets in both of the previous meetings with the champions this season.
Meaty challenges
There were a few meaty challenges from both sides and Davide Grassi picked up the first booking after just nine minutes for a crunching tackle on Lee McCulloch but Rangers could not capitalise on the resultant free-kick with Davis failing to find a blue jersey in the packed goalmouth.
The home side continued to press and a long ball from David Weir found Lafferty in space in the box but he connected awkwardly and hooked over from just outside the six-yard box.
Rangers' hard work eventually paid off when they surged into the lead with 24 minutes gone. Maurice Edu did well to win possession before Naismith prodded into the path of Davis who left Langfield with no chance when he unleashed a ferocious shot from 25 yards.
Aberdeen had struggled to create much in the way of chances and, with half-time approaching, Mackie resorted to an ambitious long-range shot that fell well wide of target.
Davis attempted to turn provider after the restart when his cross picked out Lafferty only for the big Northern Irishman to nod over.
Impressive skill
Lafferty then displayed some impressive skill on the left flank before setting up the shot for Sasa Papac but he was also off target and stabbed high over the crossbar.
It was Lafferty, himself, who had the net bulging after 65 minutes when he collected from Davis and went on a surging run into the box before slotting low into the bottom corner of the net.
But the Dons pulled a goal back just three minutes later when MacLean dinked a cross over Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor and Mackie beat Steven Whittaker to the ball to slide over the line.
Those celebrations were short-lived and hopes of a Dons comeback were dealt a blow as Rangers claimed their third of the night with 14 minutes to go.
A Davis corner found Danny Wilson and the youngster nodded on for Miller to lash beyond the grasp of Langfield and all but secure the points for Walter Smith's men.
The win means Rangers can potentially secure a second successive title in the first game after the league split providing they pick up another victory at Dundee United next midweek.
