Smith praise for Rangers victory

Smith was pleased with his side's second half display

Rangers manager Walter Smith was delighted to see his side earn maximum points at Rugby Park.

"We played extremely well in the second half, maybe the best we've done this season, and we put Kilmarnock under a lot of pressure," Smith told BBC Sport.

"We gave away a poor goal but all credit to the players for the way they responded and we finished strongly."

Smith added that Daniel Cousin was now a doubt for Tuesday's match with Red Star but Lee McCulloch will return.

Interview: Rangers player Kevin Thomson

Interview: Rangers manager Walter Smith

McCulloch was rested due to illness, while Cousin was withdrawn at half time after taking a kick to the ankle.

His replacement, Jean Claude Darcheville, scored the winning goal and Smith was full of praise for the French striker.

"We are starting to see him somewhere near his best," added Smith.

"He's a winner and a great character and he played very well today."

Looking forward to Tuesday's Champions League qualifier in Belgrade, Smith added: "It kept the momentum going which is a big thing for us.

"It's a tough game, a game where there'll be a great deal of pressure on it.

"Having a new team, we'll just have to show we can handle that."