Ibrox coaches Kenny McDowall, Ally McCoist and Walter Smith look pensive

Rangers' slow start to their Scottish Premier League match against Motherwell at Ibrox did not come as a complete surprise to manager Walter Smith.

A goal down to the impressive Steelmen at half-time, Rangers finally won 4-1.

"There has to be an understanding that when we have players at international level it is hard for them to come back immediately and kick-stark," he said.

"It's not always a physical thing; it's a mental thing. The Scotland players were playing the world champions."

And referring to the come-down following Scotland's dramatic 3-2 defeat by Spain at Hampden on Tuesday, the former national team boss added: "It's a big thing for any player to get themselves up for a game like that.

"The intensity of that game is a big thing for them.

"We were certainly slow to start today but give credit to Motherwell - they played really well, they keep possession of the ball well, they get players behind the ball but are quite willing to get them up the pitch, they have got really good balance in the team."

A powerful Nick Blackman back-post header put Craig Brown's men in front on the stroke of half-time, and the impressive English striker had threatened Neil Alexander's goal with a few shots prior to the breakthrough.

As the teams came out for the second half, Rangers knew that the visitors had gleaned maximum points from their three previous games on the road in the Scottish Premier League this season.

"There were no harsh words at half-time, just a knowledge that we had to pick our game up and we did do," said Smith, in his final season at Ibrox.

"But the first 25 minutes of the second half was excellent. We showed far more intent and there were some terrific goals."

In fact, Rangers hammered four past Well in 20 minutes, with Steven Davis, Kenny Miller and Vladimir Weiss adding to Steven Naismith's strike.

If we can even run at the level of injury that we have at the minute then we will be OK Rangers manager Walter Smith

With Rangers on 24 points from eight matches - second-place Celtic travel to Tannadice to play Dundee United on Sunday - Smith was relieved that he will be taking his men across the city to face his Old Firm rivals next weekend at least level on points.

"If we had lost the game today, we would have been looking at a situation of going to one of the most difficult places to play and falling far more points behind than you would like," added Smith.

"So I am delighted to win the game and we can now focus on the Champions League on Wednesday and that is a big game for us."

Rangers welcome Valencia in the Group C tie and again Smith will rely on his small but close-knit squad to take on the Spaniards.

"The players want to play in the big games. As long as we can avoid a lot of injury and suspension then we'll be there," he said.

"We've got a good group of players and a terrific spirit in the team. If we can even run at the level of injury that we have at the minute then we will be OK."

Asked if defender Kirk Broadfoot could be back in time from injury to play in midweek, Smith said: "He has to get a scan on Monday and if there is no further bruising to the bone then he should be OK."

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