Scottish Premier League - Ferguson to return

Eurosport - Wed, 08 Oct 13:27:00 2008

Barry Ferguson could be set for a dramatic first-team comeback in Rangers' next match against Dundee United.

2008 Rangers Barry Ferguson - 0

Tuesday's reserve match with Hibernian has been pencilled in as the date for the club captain to make his first outing since undergoing ankle ligament surgery.

Manager Walter Smith insists he will not rush the 30-year-old Scotland skipper back but revealed the midfielder may be considered for the October 18 Scottish Premier League clash at Ibrox.

Smith said: "I don't know yet if he will be able to play in next week's reserve game at Hibs.

"We will see how his training goes this week.

"He had a full week's training last week and if he can get another full week in then we can look at him playing in the Hibs game.

"However, we will wait until he is ready. There is no point in us pushing him as that could set him back.

"He has been out for a few months now and when a player is out for that long, when he comes back he has to be fully prepared for it.

"We will give Barry the time that is necessary and if it is not next week then it will be the week after."

Smith went on to reveal Ferguson could go straight back into first-team action at least two weeks ahead of schedule if his reserve outing goes to plan.

He added: "He will need a few games but that doesn't mean he can't be involved in the first team, if he feels as though he can do that.

"His injury has cleared up now. It's just a matter of getting to the required levels of fitness and as long as he feels okay, it would not preclude him from being involved in the games."

There was more positive news on the injury front for Rangers, with Lee McCulloch available again after featuring in the last two reserve matches, while Steven Whittaker should be back in full training next week.

The former Hibs man had been bothered by a knee problem but Smith hopes that is now clearing up.

He said: "Steven Whittaker had an injection in a cyst on his knee and we hope that has settled things down. The signs are that it has.

"He is not getting the same amount of discomfort as he was, so hopefully that will disappear within a week and he can get back to full training."

In terms of the longer-term injured players, Steven Smith has been training again and Steven Naismith is also progressing well, although he is still some time away from playing given the severity of his injury - a cruciate ligament problem.

The manager said: "Steven Naismith is back training and he is at the frustrated stage because he feels okay but the specialist won't allow him to start playing again.

"We have to give it a requisite period of time and he will just have to be patient."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. COMMENT24, YOU CANT KNOW VERY MANY HOOPS FANS AS WE ALL SAY THAT WHEN TALKING FOOTBALL. HAIL HAIL

    From THE HOOPS, on Thu 9 Oct 6:19PM

  2. DUFFIN870, THINK YOU GOT THAT ALL WRONG. HAIL HAIL.LOL

    From THE HOOPS, on Thu 9 Oct 6:17PM

  3. Yeah, Adrian!!... A bit of romantic music in the background while he's doing the biz!!.. Kool & The Gang - Get Down On It!! PMFPL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 5:58PM

  4. Hahahahahaha aye and im pretty sure Rooney's already tapped that @#$% lol

    From Adz, on Thu 9 Oct 5:31PM

  5. ADRIAN: loved the Romanov / Ronaldo connection - however, I spotted a slight flaw in your plan there!!.. Unless Ronaldo has got a Lithuanian granny!! LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 4:46PM

  6. DUFFIN870: HAIL, HAIL, YA MUPPET, YE!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 4:44PM

  7. Aye the financial situation is starting to unravel a few clubs finances down south but only a select few clubs in the world can attract players such as Ronado due to their individual tallent and commercial attributes i see your point though and it is a valid one but its a bit delusional to even contemplate having a player of such quality turning out for either of the old firm! gone are they days of the Gazza's, Laudrups, Larsson's ect ect but atleast SPL clubs are on a solid financial footing and are no longer throwing stupid money at cheap imports. Maybe Romanov will anouce his intentions to sign Ronaldo come January for hearts lmao

    From Adz, on Thu 9 Oct 3:27PM

  8. This is a story about a rangers player returning from a serious injury, why do so many celtic fans feel they have to comment on it. You lot really are a very sad bunch indeed. Also, why this childish "hail hail" at the end of your posts? Everyone I know think its totally pathetic including celtic fans.

    From duffin870@..., on Thu 9 Oct 2:59PM

  9. Adrian: in the current economic climate, I think we're wise to remain in the SPL, at least for the time being. My logic behind this statement is that, with EPL clubs starting to feel the bite, they will perhaps look to off-loading a few players to reduce their wage bills. For teams like Barcelona (for example) to purchase the likes of Christano Ronaldo for, say, 50 million Euro's would be financial suicide, hence they wouldn't touch these guys with the proverbial barge-pole! We (SPL clubs) could step in to save these players' careers, but pay them a more realistic wage. Is Ronaldo a better player than, say, Aiden McGeady, or Mendes at Rangers? The proof of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. Just because he is a talent at Man U, doesn't neccessarily follow that he'd be an automatic choice to start a game! That would sharpen his reflexes a bit more, and teach him a bit more about "team-bonding" in my opinion!!.. THERE!!.. Glad to get that rant off my chest now!! LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 2:58PM

  10. Bazza is starting to get on the wrong side of his carrer now but it should be interesting to see how Medes and himself will fit into the midfield. true we have spent a bit of cash but I still believe we are head and shoulders above celtic in the youth development and COMMENT 13 I'm not really having a dig at what Celtic has spent I just believe that for all the success that Strachan has had with Celtic I believe its only fair that he should get some cash to spend for your benefit. The old firm and the SPL more so needs quality players and entertainers to keep it semi attractive in this current time of all the billionares investing down south. My belief is that to truely become great clubs we need to be down south! imagine the old firm in the premiership!! with the amout of season ticket holders and worldwide appeal that both clubs have, they would be tripping and fighting themselves to invest.

    From Adz, on Thu 9 Oct 2:33PM

  11. Pic of Bazza (above) - Note the facial expression, and the position of his right arm/hand... Isn't masturbating in public an offence at Ibrox??.. LOL!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 1:09PM

  12. CONNOR 95: For your own health and safety, please go lie in a darkened room until the feeling passes!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 12:06PM

  13. POINT 13: typical Rangers!!.. Always trying to BUY success!! Peter Lawwell has actually helped reduce Celtic's debt whilst maintaining a team of C H A M P I O N S !!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 12:04PM

  14. PAUL G: I take it you are referring to my WIFE!!... Let's put it this way.. She's a Thai lady, the kind that only sad, pathetic muppets like you can @#$% over, because you're too ugly to actually get one for yourself!! Hahaha!!

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Thu 9 Oct 12:02PM

  15. comment 16, when baz returns it will be a different team he thinks he is mr rangers and he takes over, i honestly dont think you'se really missed him, he's a good player but think you'se have done ok without him, and i dont think he will make that much difference,baz is a bawhead. hail hail c'mon the hoops.

    From THE HOOPS, on Thu 9 Oct 9:51AM

  16. bazza and mendes at the hart of midfield i cant wiat to see how they pair up and make it there own.

    comon the GERS

    From connor.95@..., on Thu 9 Oct 8:14AM

  17. comment 13, the huns spent more than us but who is top of the league with much the same players as last season, mendas i thought he was going to be great but has only played good a couple of times, i would say the only good player you'se got was davis the rest are no better than you'se had.hail hail

    From THE HOOPS, on Thu 9 Oct 7:58AM

  18. wangers are @#$%..

    From jeet, on Thu 9 Oct 1:38AM

  19. Credit crunch lmao seems like the only team that spent cash was the gers rodmod, how much did celtic actually spend this summer?

    From Adz, on Wed 8 Oct 11:35PM

  20. paul g who#s name do you want to know, you dont explain yourself very well.hail hail

    From THE HOOPS, on Wed 8 Oct 7:51PM
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