Smith has not been a regular in the Rangers first team

Rangers defender Stevie Smith says he and his team-mates are not playing well enough to win big-money moves that will ease the hard-up Ibrox club's finances.

There has been speculation that there could be an exodus during January in an attempt to ease Rangers' debts.

But Smith said: "When you are playing as poorly as we are, I don't think any of us will be good enough to move on.

"I know my contract's running out in the summer, but I'm not really worried about it."

Smith broke into the Rangers first-team at an early age but has been second choice to Sasa Papac in recent seasons.

"Of course it's frustrating not playing," said the left-back. "Not playing on a Saturday is the hardest part.

"I've been in this position before and I spoke out about it, but I think it was different because I had been out for a few years with injuries and all you want to do in that situation is play on a Saturday and I did not feel I had a chance of doing that.

If you have somebody as consistent as Sasa Papac in front of you then it's difficult Rangers defender Stevie Smith

"But now I feel like I've a chance of playing on a Saturday if I work hard enough and I want to show I am good enough to make it here."

Smith knows he might have to leave Ibrox to further his career but would prefer to remain at the club he has been with since his youth days.

"Of course, my first choice would be to stay here, because I have grown up here and I have never been anywhere else," he said.

"I have worked hard to get to this point and need to work a bit harder to get in the team.

"I've done okay in the games I have played, although I have not done anything special.

"But if you have somebody as consistent as Sasa in front of you then it's difficult."

Smith admits he might have to consider his Rangers future "at the end of the season, but we all got our league winners' medals today and those are the reasons you want to stay at this football club".

There has been much speculation about the future of defender Madjid Bougherra after he was dropped following his late return from World Cup duty with Algeria.

There has also been talk of training-ground disagreements affecting morale.

"I don't think it is a major problem," said Smith. "Madjid is a good pro.

"He has been late back a few times, but he has apologised for that and we accept it and move on."

Rangers have had a disappointing Champions League campaign and were knocked off the top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday after defeat away to Aberdeen.

"We have to stick together and starting winning football matches again," said Smith.

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"Last season, we had question marks against us when we were seven points behind and we bounced back to win the title.

"We're having question marks against us again this season and we need to answer them in the same way.

"I don't know if it was mind games from the manager, but it was a nice wee reminder."

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