Ally McCoist steered Rangers to victory tonight and in doing so may have sealed a loan move to Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton.

With the arrival of Dick Advocaat at Ibrox in the summer, McCoist knows his days at the club are probably numbered.

But he is anxious to play first team football with the World Cup approaching and Everton are reported to be interested in securing his services on a short-term basis.

McCoist and Smith go back a long way so it was perhaps fitting he should score tonight.

Rangers supporters turned out in force to honour Smith in his testimonial match. Smith's bank manager should have been among the crowd, knowing his client would be depositing a rather healthy cheque.

A full house at Ibrox to see Scotland's finest against one of England's best was expected to generate around £500,000.

Smith, who is retiring as team boss at the end of the season, took centre stage before kick-off.

He entered the pitch through a corridor of seven championship flags to thunderous applause.

Rangers may be struggling to win a record 10th successive title with Celtic and Hearts the top two.

But Smith's record since replacing Graeme Souness with four games to go in 1991 is remarkable no matter what happens in recent months.

Smith was certainly more relaxed tonight than he was on Saturday when Rangers played out a controversial 2-2 draw against Hearts with Richard Gough sent off.

The Ibrox skipper was back in the starting line-up against Liverpool but there were no Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne or Marco Negri.

Liverpool, without the injured Robbie Fowler, soon found out there is no such thing as a friendly in Scotland.

Rangers looked fired up and McCoist, making a rare start, put them ahead in the 29th minute.

Jorg Albertz, two-goal hero against Hearts, released Seb Rozenthal. He picked out McCoist on the edge of the area and he steered a powerful drive beyond keeper Brad Friedel.

Rangers dominated the half with Albertz and young Finnish prospect Jonatan Johansson also troubling the visiting defence.

Liverpool almost drew level four minutes after the break when Steve McManaman skipped away, only for Goram to react instinctively and block his effort with his legs.

McManaman was again unlucky in the 70th minute when his half volley beat sub Antti Niemi, only to come back off the bar.

Liverpool began to get frustrated and Neil Ruddock incensed the home support with a wild challenge on Ian Durrant that would have certainly carried a yellow card in a League match.

Teams:

Rangers: Goram, Cleland, Albertz, Gough, Porrini, Moore, Rozental, McCall, McCoist, Durrant, Johansson.

Liverpool: Friedel, Kvarme, Babb, Ruddock, Bjornebye, McManaman, Thompson, Ince, Berger, Owen, Riedle.

Referee: J McCluskey (Stewarton).