A section of the Rangers support remain unconvinced by the Gabon striker, who has been inspirational in some games and anonymous in others.
"Like everybody else, when you bring a player you have to try to help him as much as you can to settle down.
"One of the biggest problems that we have had this season is that Jean-Claude Darcheville has been unable to start on a more regular basis for us.
"We have a number of players who can play as strikers but they need to have a certain type of partner to help them out.
"Daniel has a number of goals for us at the present moment and another good one today.
"I could never ask anybody to be patient, we just have to keep working away, and I'm sure Daniel will have a response shortly."
Asked why fans seem willing to accept Kris Boyd's role as an out and out goalscorer but seem to demand more from Cousin, Smith replied: "Maybe Daniel is like that, maybe he is an out and out goalscorer and that's it. And that means that we have two."
Another positive for Rangers was the return of Thomas Buffel, who made his first SPL appearance in almost a year after a spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Smith said: "I'm pleased because he has worked really hard to get back. He has had a long spell out and, because of the situation with the substitutes, it's not easy to get players back and up for first team football.
"He's ready for that now, I think he thought he was ready a few weeks ago, but it's not always easy to get them in. He did look fresh and lively today so I'm pleased that he is back and one that we can consider again."
