The talk has been of a 'perfect season' as Ally McCoist's side have so far gone through their league campaign unblemished.

But Steven Smith insists it is too early to make any such bold predictions.

And for those who may scoff that the bar has never been lower given the manner in which Rangers are currently tearing their way through SPFL League One, Smith has maintained getting out of any league requires a doggedness and a professionalism to get there.

Rangers got a fright last week against Brechin when they found themselves pointing fingers at the interval as they sat on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline.

They rectified that in the second period but this weekend they are on the road again, this time taking in the delights East Fife has to offer.

And while McCoist's squad, full of veteran top-league performers, will be expected to stroll through the game, Smith has warned it is that kind of attitude which will see them tripping up.

"There is no way that we will get through this without having to roll our sleeves up and really get stuck in sometimes," he said.

"These games are hard. People can say what they want but you are facing players who are desperate to get one over you, who are in your face and in about you and you don't get two seconds on the ball.

"I think attitude does play a major part in it. We know what is expected of us as Rangers players and we need to ensure that we are treating every game with the respect it deserves.

"The only people who are predicting that we might go through the season unbeaten are supporters. That isn't something that has ever come up in conversation in the dressing room.

"Winning anything in football isn't easy. It won't come easy to us again this season, just as it didn't last year. It is all about working hard to get your reward."

Nicky Clark seized his moment to shine last weekend when he completed Rangers' comeback with the winning goal against Brechin.

Whether or not it is enough to see the 22-year-old given the nod to start up front this weekend remains to be seen, but Smith has been impressed with how the former Queen of the South striker has adapted to life at Ibrox.

Smith himself came through the ranks at the club while Clark has found himself under scrutiny having come from a much smaller set-up. Smith, though, believes he has coped with the transition impressively.

"There is always pressure at Rangers, no matter what league you are playing in," he said. "You are always under the microscope and that can be a hard thing to deal with.

"Nicky has done really well. He has shown he can score goals and he has fitted in really quickly. It can be a big move to make for any player."

The long winter months which lie ahead will bring their own challenges for Rangers with travels on the road bound to test their resolve.

The impoverished conditions the bulk of teams in League One cope with are amplified when there are adverse weather conditions, such as last Saturday up at Brechin, and it is through the dark afternoons which make up the guts of the season where Rangers will be tested.

"I think we are prepared for that," said Smith.

"And there are times when you have to be content to win the game and walk away thinking that you might not have been world-beaters but that you got the points.

"That is the most important thing. I think the boys all accept that.

"You can't always play the way you want to and if you are faced with boggy pitches and freezing rain lashing down on top of you, then you do what you can to get the ball in the net and get the win. It's as simple as that."

East Fife is the next stop this weekend and Smith is looking forward to heading back into battle.

"I am enjoying being back and playing," he said. "I am the same as everyone else in that I want to play as many games as I can.

"The performances in the league have been good so far this season and I think as a team we have shown a lot of character. It's exciting to be a part of it and hopefully I can get as many games as possible because I want to play a role in hopefully helping to get the club into the top flight again."