Mixed feelings for Smith

The First Division club refused to give up without a fight and took the lead through substitute Daniel McBreen in extra-time, before a penalty from Nacho Novo saw the last-four clash decided by a penalty shoot-out.

"We managed to get there but it wasn't the best of days for us in terms of our overall performance," he said. "We have played better in other games so we are delighted - and a little bit relieved - to get through to the final."

He added: "St Johnstone worked very hard and made it very difficult for us. Derek (McInnes) can be proud of his boys and they deserve a pat on the back for the amount of effort they put into the game."

Neil Alexander, deputising for the injured Allan McGregor in the Rangers goal, saved penalties from Steven Milne and Jody Morris, with Brahim Hemdani also failing to convert from the spot to ensure a tense finale to the match.

Rangers may have been favourites to win the entire tournament ahead of kick-off but Saints ensured their progression to the final on May 24 was by no means a foregone conclusion.

Novo missed the best opportunity for the Ibrox club but St Johnstone had chances of their own to end the tie during the regulation 90 minutes.

"We had to put a great deal of effort into the game just to match St Johnstone, never mind anything else," added Smith.

"We had a few opportunities that we managed to squander and, overall, the performance wasn't a good one but the result was."

Rangers continue their pursuit for four trophies this season and, despite losing Chris Burke and Steven Naismith to injury early on, Smith is confident the epic nature of the cup clash will not have too detrimental an effect on a club who still have plenty of fixtures to fulfil this season.