Boyd's booking does not take him over the disciplinary threshold

Rangers manager Walter Smith was relieved to learn that Kris Boyd has not been ruled out of this month's Old Firm derby against Celtic.

The striker was shown a yellow card during Sunday's 3-0 win over third-placed Hibernian at Ibrox.

"I looked at the list during the week and, when he got booked, I thought he might have been out," said Smith.

"But the referee says it was for obstruction, which is just a two-point one, so he has a point to go yet."

Boyd, who went on to net his 21st goal of the season as the Scottish champions restored their 10-point lead, appeared to elbow Hibs midfielder Merouane Zemmama in the face three minutes before the break.

We had to work extremely hard for the three points. It was a good advert for Scottish football Rangers manager Walter Smith

A caution for dangerous play would have put the striker through the disciplinary points barrier and meant he would miss the 28 February meeting with closest-rivals Celtic at Ibrox.

"We are pleased to have him, there is no doubt about that," said Smith.

"Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller are just coming back from injury and it's important they have a bit of continuity.

"That would mean Kris can play, so we are pleased about that."

Rangers had their lead cut to eight points in midweek after a draw with Motherwell, but the roles were reversed this weekend after Aberdeen fought back to hold Celtic 4-4.

"Everybody makes all these assumptions - it was 10 points and then it was eight points and, when it was eight points, we weren't going to win the league," said Smith.

"People don't give enough credit to the other teams in Scotland and they think it's easy for the Old Firm to win games. It's not.

"We are delighted to have the 10-point gap, but you know the consequences of not winning, so nothing should be taken for granted and I don't think we would."

Indeed, Smith pointed out that Hibs had given his side a tough battle as the Edinburgh side sought to move to within two points of Celtic.

"We had to work extremely hard for the three points," said Smith. "It was a good advert for Scottish football.

"It was going to take something special to win it and Steven Whittaker's goal was just that."

Smith admitted that he had perhaps expected too much of winger DaMarcus Beasley, who was hauled off at half-time, with replacement Kyle Lafferty setting up that first goal.

Beasley has just returned from an injury that cut short a fine spell of form and Smith thought he had possibly been brought into the team too early.

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