RANGERS MANAGER Walter Smith would not be drawn on his future after steering the Ibrox side to consecutive Scottish Premier League titles.

A 1-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road yesterday took Rangers over the line with three matches left to play – Kyle Lafferty the unlikely hero scoring in the 17th minute.

But Smith, who has been working without a contract since January because of Rangers’ money worries, declined to say he would be back next season.

Asked if he still has the appetite to attempt a third title win since his return to Ibrox, he said: “It always gives you an appetite. That’s what you’re in it for to win games.”

Smith has now won nine titles in two spells in charge at Rangers and he added: “It seems to have been one of the hardest but maybe I’ve felt like that after every one of them.”

Celtic’s win over Dundee United earlier in the day meant there would be no celebrations before kick-off at Easter Road with the defending champions under pressure to deliver the result that would seal the silverware.

And, despite what has been another lacklustre season from Lafferty, he grabbed his third goal in four games to ensure the trophy will remain at Ibrox.

The last time Rangers clinched the title at this venue was in May 2005 when Celtic’s shock collapse against Motherwell saw their bitter rivals defy the odds to triumph on the final day.

Celtic secured second place thanks to goals from Diomansy Kamara and Republic of Ireland international Robbie Keane against Dundee United at Tannadice. With half an hour gone of an absorbing first half the Senegalese striker latched on to a Marc-Antoine Fortune pass before curling an unstoppable shot past Dusan Pernis.

Keane secured all three points when he scored from the spot after Pernis had fouled Aiden McGeady.