WALTER Smith may have lost count of how many League Cups he has won over the years.

But the Rangers manager insists his determination to succeed in the competition this season is as strong as ever.

The Co-operative Insurance Cup was the first piece of silverware of Smith’s second spell at the Ibrox helm and a successful defence of the trophy is the aim when Hamilton come calling tonight.

Partick Thistle proved to be no pushovers in the last round, with Rangers requiring extra-time to dispose of the First Division outfit to book a quarter-final clash with Accies.

The League Cup is regarded as the least coveted of the domestic trophies but, as far as Smith is concerned, if Rangers are in it, he wants to win it.

He said: “If people were to ask me whether we could lose games, then the League Cup would be the one to lose in terms of the fixtures.

“But when it’s there to be played for, it has to be taken seriously.

“I have probably won the League Cup more than any other trophy when you include the Dundee United ones.”

Smith has confirmed Steven Naismith is unlikely to be back in the first team until January after suffering a serious knee injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final back in April.

“He’s at the frustrating stage now,” he said.