Andrew Dickson reports from Ibrox

RANGERS gave Walter Smith the perfect response to their Euro woes as they ground out a spirited late victory against Hearts to keep their title challenge on course.

Following the 3-0 home defeat to Lyon that sent Gers out of the Champions League on Wednesday, the manager was eager for his side to get back to winning ways.

And while they went into the match five points behind SPL leaders Celtic, their two games in hand meant victory would keep them en route for the top of the table.

It seemed they were destined to collect just one point after Andrius Velicka cancelled out Lee McCulloch's opener.

But the former Motherwell man proved to be the matchwinner four minutes from time, even if Jambos keeper Eduardas Kurskis will be credited with an own goal instead.

Smith made three changes to the team which lost in midweek, with Kris Boyd, Charlie Adam and Steven Naismith coming into the starting XI.

Sasa Papac dropped to the bench, with Steven Whittaker preferred at left-back, while Daniel Cousin was omitted altogether.

Kevin Thomson also had a day off, his omission a surprise one after some good recent performances.

Rangers began well and Adam hit the woodwork after just three minutes with a spectacular long-range effort.

The midfielder seemed to have lost possession but won it back ahead of Saulius Mikoliunas and his swirling half-volley with the outside of his boot hit the post.

Naismith also forced Kurskis into a good save then screwed another shot wide after Alan Hutton played him in.

Gers piled on the pressure and McCulloch had an effort deflected wide before he put the hosts in front with 17 minutes gone.

Boyd went up for a header with Jose Goncalves after Adam's long ball, with the Jambos defender coming off best.

But he then hesitated and that let in McCulloch, who took a touch before stroking home with a composed finish for his fourth goal of the season.

From there, the Light Blues lost their rhythm a little but were lucky that Hearts lacked a cutting edge up front.

Their most creative player looked to be Lithuanian Mikoliunas, who was booed roundly each time he touched the ball for diving against Scotland in September.

But it was Andrew Driver who had the Edinburgh side's best opportunities before the break, Davie Weir blocking one and the other sailing across goal and wide.

Shorn of confidence, Mikoliunas was predictably subbed at half-time and Kestutis Ivaskevicius came on to replace him.

Although the change had little impact, Hearts drew level 10 minutes after the restart through their top scorer Velicka.

Whittaker gave away a free kick when he fouled Robbie Neilson on the left and when Driver swung it in, the Lithuanian nodded in at the far post.

Scoring brought Hearts to life and Driver almost put them in front seconds later as Rangers tried to regroup.

But the hosts rallied briefly and Boyd was denied on the line by Eggert Jonsson after Hutton's slide pass.

The game was opening up and with play raging from end to end, Allan McGregor had to react smartly to tip Driver's piledriver over the upright.

That made Smith uncomfortable and he threw on Jean-Claude Darcheville for Boyd in a bid to find a winner.

The switch reaped little reward and it wasn't long before Chris Burke was also summoned from the bench to take Naismith's place.

Soon after his introduction, on 86 minutes, Rangers finally did retake the lead and it while McCulloch was credited with the goal, keeper Kurskis touched it in.

After Darcheville was fouled on then right by Berra, Adam's short free kick was lobbed high into the box by Hutton.

And after McCulloch nodded the ball towards goal, Kurskis only succeeded in fumbling over the line when he tried to gather.

Rangers had a late penalty claim waved away before Barry Ferguson drilled wide but it ultimately didn't matter, with the visitng goalie's late lapse enough to gift them three points anyway.

RANGERS: McGregor; Hutton, Weir, Cuellar, Whittaker; Naismith (Burke 83), Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, McCulloch; Boyd (Darcheville 69).

Subs not used: Carroll, Papac, Ehiogu, Furman, Efrem.

HEARTS: Kurskis; Neilson, Zaliukas, Berra, Goncalves; Mikoliunas (Ivaskevicius 46), Jonsson, Palazuelos (Beniusis 88), Driver; Elliot, Velicka (Nade 60).

Subs not used: Banks, Wallace, McGowan, Brown.