David Melvin reporting from Love Street

WALTER SMITH was happy to see his side secure their first away win in the SPL since February with a 3-0 win over St Mirren that closed the gap on Celtic at the top of the SPL

Smith watched his side take an early lead through Kris Boyd's fourth minute strike and was happy with the way they performed at Love Street.

He said: "I thought we played very well tonight on a difficult pitch for both teams which we handled well.

"We got off to a terrific start and added to that before Jean Claude Darcheville was a little bit unlucky to hit the post with an overhead kick.

"That would have put us three ahead at half time which I think would have been a big psychological boost for us and a blow for St Mirren.

"We managed to get ourselves 3-0 ahead and then missed a few half chances but we're delighted with the performance overall."

Smith's attention now turns to Aberdeen on Thursday night as he prepares his side for a crucial match. Celtic will kick off simultaneously against Dundee Utd at Tannadice, but Smith insists his side will only be focused on three more points.

He added: "It's important just to get the win. Neither Tannadice nor Pittodrie are not easy places to go and get a win at the best of times so we just have to hope that we can go there and do that."

The Rangers boss was happy to welcome back another player to his squad with DaMarcus Beasley making a return from injury to play his first football since injuring his knee in a Champions League meeting with Stuttgart last November.

Smith said: "He's one that we're pleased to get back, although it's obviously a little bit late for him to be playing a lot of games but he might come in handy in the last few games that we have."