Gers boss Smith: McGregor won't be the last to face Ibrox axe

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Neil Alexander was preferred to the Scotland international and performed well as goals from Steven Davis and Nacho Novo clinched a 2-1success over Motherwell.

The victory ensured Rangers have racked up 17 successive home SPL wins since October last year as they seek to end three barren years without championship glory.

Neil Alexander (left) replaced dropped Allan McGregor in Rangers' 2-1 win over Motherwell

And Smith revealed he left out the erstwhile‘untouchable’ McGregor — who gifted Kilmarnock a goal last week — to send a message to his squad that they must keep their ‘edge’ with no European midweek action.

‘We have a big pool of players and I have to show everyone that they have to be at the top of their game,’ said Smith.

‘Alexander came in last season to cover for injury after Allan had enjoyed an absolutely exceptional season.

'As soon as Allan was fit again, he’s been back in the team.

'But I have to show that I’m prepared to use the pool when I have to, just to keep an edge within our squad.

‘We don’t have the number of games we faced last season, so therefore it’s up to every player to make sure that he keeps himsel fas well prepared as he possibly can.

‘A manager makes a judgment on these things and it will happen to more players than just AllanMcGregor over the season.

We have a squad and we have to use it.

’Smith was content with yet another Ibrox win but feels his side have given both Kilmarnock and Motherwell a glimmer of hope in the last two games after taking the lead.

‘After we got in front, we found ourselves in a situation that we didn’t handle particularly well,’he said.

‘We have to pick up on that as a team.

'We worked hard to get in front and have now allowed Kilmarnock and Motherwell to comeback at us in two successive games.

‘That has caused a few problems and Motherwell might well have got themselves back into the game at 1-0.’