It has been a long road from Kaunas. The trudge from defeat on a foreign field has been painful but it has been accomplished without further losses.

It has been a long road from Kaunas. The trudge from defeat on a foreign field has been painful but it has been accomplished without further losses. Rangers, ejected from Europe with all the dignity of the town drunk being shown the door at his favourite hostelry, arrive at Celtic Park in surprisingly jaunty mood and in sober good health.

The miserable defeat in rain-sodden Lithuania just three weeks ago has been followed by victories over Falkirk and Hearts and a commendable draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

"The Kaunas one was as difficult an aftermath as I have had to handle, especially after the previous season," said Walter Smith yesterday, reflecting on the crushing disappointment of a lost UEFA Cup final followed by defeat in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. "It was a difficult one to know how to approach, to know how to handle."

He said the transition was made all the more difficult by the need to integrate his recruits into the team. Smith has added such as Kyle Lafferty, Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes, Steven Davis, Kenny Miller, and Andrius Velicka to his squad. Maurice Edu arrived from Toronto yesterday, had a training session and may find a place on the bench tomorrow, particularly as Lee McCulloch is out injured.

But Rangers have found a stability that was missing in both games against FBK Kaunas. The first match in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League was fraught and Michael Higdion could have delivered a severe blow if he had converted a second-half penalty when the match was scoreless. He did not and Velicka grabbed the winner. A home win against Hearts followed by a draw at Pittodrie has left Smith in a satisfied frame of mind.

He was aware that he faced a "tough start" to the season and he will not be dismayed to arrive at Celtic Park level on points with the champions.

"The first season changes are by far the easier to make, the second season changes are a bit more difficult," Smith said. These, though, have been made and Smith conceded: "We are obviously in far better spirit than we were after Kaunas. It was a difficult period to get over.

I hope now that we are over it and we are focusing on what we need to do."

That will be the minimum requirement for a visit to Celtic Park. "They are always big games and we will not have very many of them this season," said Smith a wry smile.

This comment was made in recognition of the fact that the domestic campaign is the only game in town for Rangers. The media hoopla has ensured that its biggest fixture has taken on an ever bigger profile. Smith, whose first-hand knowledge of the game spans two decades, said that there was now "a more intense atmosphere" surrounding the game because of the demands of television, radio and newspapers.

However, he said that the increase in league meetings from twice a season to four had changed the dynamic of the fixture. "Four times is going to have an influence on the championship," he said. "In previous years you could afford to lose the two games and still win a championship. But if you lose the four you are not going to win the championship."

There was an indication of how Smith might approach the match when he said: "If we can go away from home and get a result at Celtic Park, that will be looked upon as a good result."

This suggests that Smith, after two successive losses in quick succession at Celtic Park, will be happy to earn a point. Rangers will almost certainly play with one up front. Kenny Miller is likely to be the player accepting that responsibility. "I am sure that sections of the crowd, maybe both of them, will make him welcome," said Smith, tongue firmly in cheek, of the reception that awaits the former Celtic striker.

However, he has no worries about the Scottish internationalist's ability to cope. "Kenny Miller is an experienced player and that is what has enabled him to make the move without any hassle," he said.

Similarly, he said Mendes should have no problems adapting to the peculiar demands of an Old Firm game. The major problem confronting Rangers earlier in the season was a lack of guile and direction in midfield. Barry Ferguson's absence through injury was a desperate blow, exacerbated by the difficulty in recruiting midfielders. Davis has now arrived from Fulham after prolonged negotiations and Mendes has impressed since signing from Portsmouth.

Smith's side now march on Parkhead with hope and some confidence. That, at least, is a long way from Kaunas. Just how far will be measured tomorrow.