Steven Smith fears Rangers could suffer a setback in their bid to retain the SPL title on Motherwell’s quagmire pitch tomorrow night.

The playing surface at Fir Park has been criticised by several players and managers in recent weeks – despite the fact £250,000 was spent on it last summer.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid was particularly scathing about it after his team lost 1-0 to their Lanarkshire rivals in a Clydes-dale Bank Premier League match last Saturday.

And Gers left-back Smith is worried Walter Smith’s men, currently 10 points clear of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the table, could stumble on it in their midweek fixture.

“I watched a bit of the game at Fir Park the other week and thought their pitch wasn’t the greatest, so it is going to be a tough test,” the defender said.

“Like every away game in the SPL, this will be a tough one. But the poor condition of the pitch will definitely be a factor for us as well.

“We have to win wherever we play on whatever type of playing surface. At the end of the day, the pitch is the same for both teams and we just have to deal with it as best we can and try to come away with a victory.

“Playing on a good pitch helps us to play our natural game. We are lucky here at Rangers in that we are able to train on Murray Park while other clubs have to train on the pitch they use to play their games on.”

Steven added: “For me, every away game is a battle. If we’re not prepared to fight and scrap then we are in trouble. You are always going to get a tough game against Scottish teams and Scottish players. Teams always raise themselves whenever they play against Rangers and Celtic.

“If you have players who turn up at these places and don’t really fancy it then that is when opposing teams have a chance.”

Rangers were lucky to escape with a point when they travelled to play Motherwell in the league back at the start of September, when Allan McGregor saved a last-gasp penalty from Jim O’Brien.

Steven sat in the stands in that game, however, he saw enough to know the Scottish champions will need to perform at their best in order to emerge victorious in this tricky midweek clash.

The 24-year-old reckons the arrival of experienced duo Craig Brown and Archie Knox has had a positive effect on the Steelmen, who have won four and lost one of their last five SPL outings.

He said: “When you go away from home in the SPL you know you are always going to get a tough test and we have to stand up to that. It would be fantastic if we could take full points.

“When a new manager comes in you always get a reaction from a team. They have one or two young players, but Craig has brought back one or two of the experienced players. Guys like Stephen Craigan give them an extra edge.”

Walter Smith is hopeful DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu will both have recovered from injury in time to be included in the squad.

If they have, it will mean the Glasgow club have been able to bring back five players in the last week – Kris Boyd, Madjid Bougherra and Kenny Miller all played in the 0-0 Active Nation Scottish Cup draw with St Mirren last Saturday.

Steven Smith, meanwhile, reckons Rangers deserve credit for maintaining their title push in the last month without so many key players.

He said: “It has been very positive that we didn’t really drop many points when all these players were out.

“We have maintained our gap over Celtic. The boys who have come in have done well, but it is good that we’re now starting to get guys back.”