Walter Smith has called for one last push at Aberdeen after watching Rangers force the race for the SPL title to the final night of the season.

A strike from Kris Boyd and a double courtesy of Jean-Claude Darcheville in a 3-1 win over St Mirren allowed Smith's men to haul themselves level on points with Celtic ahead of Thursday's trip to Pittodrie.

But the defending champions are four goals better off ahead of their own clash with Dundee United at Tannadice - meaning Smith is realistically now hoping for a huge favour from Craig Levein's men.

He said: "The players have been okay so far, and by the time we get round to Thursday, there will be a lot of concentration on that game and they know what they have to do.

"They have to go to Pittodrie, which is always a difficult place to go, and they have to win the game. All our efforts will be focused on that.

"Both places are difficult places to go and win. Dundee United have played very well against Rangers, and they have played well against most of the clubs this season.

"It's a game that I imagine will be a tight one, as will our game at Pittodrie.

"Nobody knows what is going to happen in the games so hopefully we can play as well as we can and give ourselves a chance of winning. Then we will see what happens."

Asked if he truly believes Rangers can still wrest Celtic's crown, Smith replied: "We've got a much better chance than we had last season. So we will see where that takes us. We have to win and see if Celtic can win their game at Tannadice and that's the situation."

Celtic fans must have been worried when Boyd rifled home after just four minutes but the goal-fest Rangers fans had hoped for did not quite materialise, although Darcheville did help himself to a a brace either side of the interval.

"We were pleased with the performance," said Smith.

"We started the game well and got ahead and increased the lead so we had a good first half. We also played well in the second half and kept St Mirren in their own half.

"One or two chances went begging but we got another goal so we are pleased with the result and the performance."

The match at Love Street was the 66th of 68 games Rangers will play before an epic season comes to an end.

Smith said: "I think the players overall have handled the situation very well and there were no great signs of fatigue in our play and I felt we handled the situation very well."

Saints boss Gus MacPherson predicts both Aberdeen and Dundee United will be just as committed as his team were when they face the Old Firm rivals, insisting: "There is no question about it."

But, as for the outcome of the title race, he added: "I'm not interested. I am going to Sporting Gijon in Spain for my pro-licence club visit and I couldn't give a toss!"

On his own players' performance against Rangers, MacPherson said: "The most important thing was their pride because that is what they were going to be judged on.

"The game plan goes out the window when you lose an early goal and then the second one goes in and you're worried.

"But I couldn't question the players' commitment."

TEAMtalk / Eurosport