Rangers boss Walter Smith was delighted to secure a crucial 1-0 victory over Motherwell last night.

Barry Ferguson struck for Gers and Smith said: "That is the type of game we are going to get between now and the end of the season.

"Everyone in the top six has something to play for and that is reflected in how tight the games are. It is to be expected. For the first time for two years, the championship is being fought out. Underneath that, for the first time that I can remember, there are four teams vying for one European place. We just keep lifting ourselves. I am proud about the way we play in the sense that they always lift themselves and they never stop trying."

Smith also had his moment of temporary madness when he lost his temper after four minutes of time was added on.

He explained: "What frustrates you - and I have no criticism of Motherwell because we do it when we are away from home - but when you manage to get the goal it is the team who have not been wasting time who are penalised at the end of the game. That was the point I was trying to make. We weren't wasting time yet we had play for another four minutes, which gives Motherwell an opportunity to get back in the game again."

He added, however: "We must give Motherwell credit. They set out their team very well. Teams do not get the credit when they come and play. They made it awkward for us."