The young Gers secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Youth Cup this evening with a 4-0 triumph over the Highland League side.
And it took until midway through the second half for the Light Blues to break the deadlock at a wind swept Bellslea Park, with goals from Callum Burnside, Lyle Wark and a Josh Gentles brace proving the difference.
Speaking to RangersTV after the victory, Smith commented: “I spoke to the players at half-time and I couldn’t really criticise them in the first half.
“The conditions were horrendous for both teams and I actually felt sorry for both sets of players; we couldn’t play how we wanted to play and they couldn’t play how they wanted to play.
“What we showed in the second half, which we didn’t in the first half, were pieces of individual quality; the set pieces and individual moments from the edge of the penalty area changed the game.
“Credit to the boys for sticking to what we want them to do because it was a tough environment.
“I think in the first half we had six or seven shots at goal from outside the penalty area, albeit there wasn’t many that tested the goalkeeper, but in the second half you saw the difference.
“It was players that we know can [produce quality]. Blaine McClure is really good at set-pieces and both Josh and Lyle are really good at finishing both inside and outside of the penalty box.
“They showed their moments of quality and that helped us.”
Rangers will now await confirmation of their quarter-final opponents in the competition, with the Light Blues keen to mark a return to Hampden for the fourth successive edition.
Smith hopes his young side relish the expectations placed upon them going forward, and believes matches like this evening will stand them in good stead.
He added: “We spoke to them before the game about what the challenge was. The biggest was probably themselves, and how they were going to deal with the conditions and if they didn’t score early.
“If we do get the first goal, are you going to stick to what we’re doing and go and score again, or will you be selfish and play as an individual?
“That’s why I was calm at half-time because we were sticking to the game plan, and individual quality then turns the game.
“The message before the game was about expectation. I said to them that I’m fine with putting that expectation on them, that’s why we’re here, and it’s a reward.
“There is an expectation on them to go and win the trophy, and now we’re into the next round.”