Bent is presently with Wigan

"The gentlemen of the press have maybe not enquired about whether Marcus Bent has played for both Charlton and Wigan this season," said the Rangers boss.

"If you enquire, I think you will find that that is the case."

Attempts by Rangers to offload Amdy Faye and Daniel Cousin have been held up by the ruling that prevents players signing for more than two clubs.

Interview: Rangers manager Walter Smith

Blackburn had made inquiries about midfielder Faye but have now dropped their interest.

St Mirren came here very confident and made it tough for us Rangers manager Walter Smith

Rangers are hopeful that the �3m sale of Cousin to Fulham could still go through thanks to a technicality on appeal to world football's governing body, Fifa.

But Bent played four times for Charlton before his �2.5m move to Wigan in August.

Meanwhile, Smith was pleased with the 4-0 victory over St Mirren, especially as it stretched Rangers' lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to seven points.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Bent is terrible. How many goals has he scored this season? nickbhoy91

"St Mirren came here very confident and made it tough for us because they are well organised," he said.

"We started the game well but began to get frustrated and St Mirren were playing some good football.

"But we managed to get an opening goal and, when St Mirren had a man sent off, that was the game virtually over."