Rangers boss Walter Smith was relieved to return to matters on the pitch with a narrow 1-0 win at bottom club Falkirk. Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor were suspended without pay for two weeks by Rangers following their antics while on international duty for Scotland.

Smith was more than happy to focus on football matters again.

"That's really what it's about," he said.

"We feel a lot of the stuff there was actually nothing to do with our own football club, it was just landed on our doorstep.

"We are delighted to get this game played, won, and hopefully we can settle down a little bit after that."

Kris Boyd netted the only goal of the game after just nine minutes and Rangers managed to hold on for the three points despite a second half fight-back by Falkirk.

Smith was pleased with his striker's efforts, saying: "It was a good contribution for us today."

"There was a little bit of slackness in terms of our possession," he said.

"We had quite a few opportunities, especially after the goal, to break through Falkirk's back four but poor touch and control and passing didn't allow us to create the majority of opportunities.

"We would have settled down after the first goal but the lack of continuity in terms of our possession stayed with us for the majority of the game."

Falkirk boss John Hughes insisted Rangers deserved praise for claiming the win after such a turbulent period.

He said: "We might have had a claim for a penalty on big Higdon. But let's take nothing away from Rangers.

"Everything that went on at that club during the week means it was a big, big match for them.

"There was a lot of attention on them and they have come away with a clean-sheet and three points. You have to take your hat off to that.

"Even in defeat I can take positives. If we keep playing like that from now until the end of the season, then I'm confident we can pick up the wins to stay in the SPL.

"The belief in the dressing room is brilliant."