Walter Smith is convinced Rangers can cope in their Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas despite missing the injured Carlos Cuellar.The Spanish defender lasted less than half-an-hour of his first pre-season appearance on Saturday after aggravating a calf injury against Raith Rovers.
Smith confirmed the former Osasuna defender would miss Wednesday's game but he hopes he can return for the away leg of the second qualifying round the following week.
Midfield pair Kevin Thomson and Lee McCulloch missed the 2-1 victory at Starks Park but both are expected to face the Lithuanians at Ibrox.
Thomson suffered a minor knee knock in training while McCulloch was laid low with a throat infection.
Smith still has a lengthy list of unavailable players though, especially in midfield.
Barry Ferguson, Chris Burke and Steven Naismith all have long-term injuries, while DaMarcus Beasley will be out for another two weeks with a hamstring problem.
Smith fielded an unfamiliar central quartet yesterday with Charlie Adam and Brahim Hemdani flanked by Kenny Miller and Steven Whittaker.
Christian Dailly came on at right-back when Cuellar limped off with Kirk Broadfoot moving inside to partner David Weir.
They joined Sasa Papac in a back four that looks likely to start against Kaunas, with Steven Smith injured and Andy Webster short of match practice.
Despite the selection headache, Smith believes he has enough quality at his disposal.
"It is a setback to lose Carlos and that is always the case when you have important players who are injured," the Rangers manager said.
"That is emphasised by the importance of the games at the start of the season but we have to show we have a squad that can handle this situation and I'm sure we have that."
In contrast to his worries at the back and middle, Smith has a luxury of forward players to choose from.
Kris Boyd and Jean-Claude Darcheville started in Kirkcaldy, although both missed chances before Kevin Smith put the Irn-Bru Second Division side ahead.
However, Nacho Novo and Daniel Cousin came off the bench to spare the UEFA Cup finalists' blushes, while Kyle Lafferty impressed in a wide left position and Andrius Velicka also played his part in one of the goals.
Former Burnley player Lafferty, the most expensive signing Smith has made since his return to Ibrox at more than £3million, is now in line for his European debut.
Smith added: "Kyle has a chance of playing on Wednesday. He has had an awkward build-up so far after getting a week's training then hurting his back.
"When we were in Holland and Germany for training, he didn't do any training at all but he is up and running again now.
"He showed a little bit of promise on Saturday and we are hopeful that will stand him in good stead."
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Why is Smith being so negative b 4 the season even starts.......he states that the player may be "burnt out" because of last year's games.....Excuses being made far to early......When is Davis being signed?????????????????
i think the signings are a joke wee have no chance with this squad unless wee start to bring in about 5 more players good ones that is .wee will be lucky to end up third never mined first .wee now have a good manager and yet still he only gets peanuts .wee had a lot off luck last year so lets not kid ourself .start spending now or wee will be watching celtic lift the cup again
I have to laugh at your £60million in and £6million out - thank god your not the accountant of my business! While we may have taken an income of £60m and spent £6m on players you seem to have neglected the wages, ground maintenance, etc etc. As a shareholder I look forward to seeing my next copy of the financial overview - I would be surprised if we made much of an overall profit for the season! Still paying too many bit part players too much money!!!
i'm glad walter does think we'll cope..but like many others i don't think so..we need two more defenders and two midfielders and a wide player before i think we can go on...once again david murray has promised us the earth and people have bought into it with there season tickets..where are the blue chip signings he promised for this season..with what we recieved in last years cup run and selling of hutton and sebo thats about 60 million they've taken in and only spent about 6 million..so whats happened to the rest..we'll see at the next financial report..so come on mr murray give walter the finance before our season is finished before it starts..as we'll find out over the next two game coming up.. more so liverpool to see the gulf
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