Ferguson could be back for Caley

October 27, 2008

 

Rangers boss Walter Smith has pencilled in Barry Ferguson for a return to the first-team for the weekend clash with Inverness.

Ferguson has been out of action since the summer after undergoing surgery on his troublesome ankle problem.

The Gers skipper came through a reserve team outing last week unscathed and he is set for another run-out for the second string this week against Dundee United.

Smith has revealed Ferguson will be in his plans to face Inverness at Ibrox next weekend, if he comes through the reserve clash without any ill-effects.

“Barry will get another game on Wednesday and I’m hopeful that if he gets through that match without any problems, he’ll come back in at the weekend,” Smith told club’s official website.

“I don’t mean that it terms of his injury because that’s okay now. If the after-effects of playing in midweek aren’t too severe, we would look at him coming in on Saturday.

Anxious

“It is natural people are anxious now to get him back. I’ll involve Barry in the pool of players for the Hamilton game but that game might be a bit early for him.

“He will play against United’s reserves and after that, I’d hope he’ll become more gradually involved with the full side.

“Barry played at St Mirren and did all of his training last week then had a recovery day yesterday so we’ll see how he is at training today.

“He is itching to get back playing again but he has an awareness of his injury now, as we do. When he makes his comeback, he’ll be ready for it.”

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Edu ready to start

October 27, 2008

 

MO EDU says he is ready to make his mark at Rangers after taking time to adapt to the Scottish game.

The American midfielder is in line to play against Hamilton in the League Cup tomorrow night and could replace Kevin Thomson as he is struggling with an ankle knock.

More than two months have passed since Edu signed for the club on the five-year deal from MLS outfit Toronto FC.

So far he has made just one 65-minute appearance against Kilmarnock and he has been a more regular feature of Tommy Wilson’s reserve team.

But having finally got to grips with the game in this country, the 22-year-old feels capable of stepping back into the first XI again and making a positive impact.

Edu said: “I hope I can play against Hamilton. Every week I prepare myself for the event that my name is called and it has been no different this week.

“I’m just working hard in training. Every footballer wants to play but I knew I was joining a winning team when I came here.

“There’s a lot of talent in there already and with the summer signings that were made, that has increased further.

“I knew it would be difficult to get on the field so I have been training hard and I’ve stayed patient.

“The SPL is definitely a step up from the MLS and it’s a hard, physical game. I’ve done well as I’ve adjusted so far and I’m more comfortable than I was when I got here at first.

“I knew it would take time to adapt. Any time you increase the standard, there’s a little period where you try to change and settle in.

“I think I’ve had a chance to be here for a while now, train with the guys, see a few games and play in one and I’ve been getting positive feedback from the staff.

“I feel a part of things now and as time goes on, I’ll hopefully get some more matches under my belt and I’ll continue to develop.”

Rangers will come up against Hamilton for the second time in four days in the quarter-finals of the Co-operative Insurance Cup following their SPL meeting on Saturday.

Walter Smith’s men won that one 3-1 but Edu knows that means nothing ahead of their re-match at Ibrox.

He added: “I think it’ll be difficult and playing any team twice within the space of a few days is hard.

“After playing them at their place, they’ll have a bit of a chip on their shoulder when they come to play at our home.

“Any team that comes here wants to do well because it’s a great club to play at and it’s a huge event for them.

“Hamilton will come here really motivated and it’s difficult to beat the same team twice in a row so we’ll have our work cut out.”

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Highlights Hamilton v Rangers

October 26, 2008

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Hamilton 1 v 3 Rangers

October 26, 2008

 

FT: Hamilton 1 v 3 Rangers

89 min: Lafferty battles of possession as the fourth official indicates an extra two minutes to be played.

87 min: Davis is still full of industry and looking to find Boyd at every opportunity as the forward chases a hat trick.

82 min: SUBSTITUTION - Hamilton
Richard Offiong replaces Simon Mensing

82 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Kyle Lafferty replaces Kenny Miller

79 min: GOAL - Hamilton 1 v 3 Rangers
Nacho Novo makes the most of Canning’s mistake to stride through on goal and slot home a third that should seal three points for his side.

75 min: Boyd knocks the ball down just inside the area and Davis prods a shot goalward but he can’t find the net.

73 min: SUBSTITUTION - Rangers
Nacho Novo replaces DaMarcus Beasley.

73 min: Boyd comes close to a hat trick as he curls an effort just wide from 20 yards.

72 min: Beasley is found again, this time by Boyd on the left but he can’t break free of the Hamilton back line as Rangers look to counter.

70 min: A lovely pass by Mendes gives Beasley plenty of room in the middle of the park but the American’s pass wide to Davis is wayward and Hamilton have a throw in.

66 min: SUBSTITUTIONS - Hamilton
Mark Corcoran and David Graham replace James Gibson and Lucas Akins.

65 min: Hamilton have dropped the tempo considerably in the second half and Rangers are benefitting with Mendes and Davis enjoying more time on the ball.

61 min: Miller delivers another teasing cross but again it’s out of reach of the advancing Boyd and Beasley.

60 min:  A misunderstaning between Bougherra and Broadfoot sees the Algerian allow the ball to run out for a corner. He’ll be relieved to see it well cleared.

58 min: Boyd performs defensive duties in his own box as he his in place to head clear a dangerous looking corner.

55 min: Miller’s endeavour wins him some space on the right and he fizzes the ball across the face of the goal. It’s just out of reach of Boyd but the two goal striker applauds the intent.

53 min: Davis tries to release Boyd for the chance of a hat trick but the striker looks to return it to Davis and the midfielder is crowded out.

49 min - GOAL: Hamilton 1 v 2 Rangers
Beasley does well to intercept deep in his own half and start a counter attack that ends withKris Boyd nodding in Steven Davis’ pin point cross.

46 min: Rangers get the second half started with no changes for either side.

HT: Hamilton 1 v 1 Rangers
The weather has played havoc with the quality of football on display but Rangers will be happy to have drawn level before the interval.

44 min: Pedro Mendes breaks free on the left side of the box but his attempt at a cross curls behind for a goal kick.

40 min - GOAL: Hamilton 1 v 1 Rangers
Boyd converts from the spot.

40 min: PENALTY - Rangers
Miller is fouled in the box by McLenahan as he goes for Broadfoot’s cross.

37 min: Miller wins a free kick on the right and Thomson takes it quickly to pick out Davis, but the Northern Ireland star’s floated effort drifts past the post.

33 min: Mendes tries to pick out Boyd but his long ball is carried through to Cerny by the wind.

30 min: Buoyed by the goal, Hamilton are enjoying a sustained period of possession and an animating Ally McCoist is trying to rally his side from the touchline.

25 min - GOAL: Hamilton 1 v 0 Rangers
Gers are safe for just two minutes as Mensing takes a free kick from the same side andBrian Easton puts Hamilton one up.

23 min: Hamilton force their first corner as Broadfoot clears a cross and the home side threaten to open the scoring from the set piece as the crossbar saves Gers.

20 min: Canning fouls Boyd again and Davis swings a free kick in that looks like it has earned a corner before the wind carries it out for a throw.

18 min: Weather conditions are not making it easy for either team and the game has yet to see its first real chance.

15 min: Boyd and Miller combine well and the former wins a free kick on the edge of the box as he is fouled by Canning. He takes the kick himself but drags it wide of the post.

12 min: Again Miller is heavily involved as he swings in a cross looking for his striker partner Boyd, forcing Hamilton to concede another corner.

10 min: Miller is caught offside as he tries to latch on to Davis’ pass. A tight call and Miller isn’t impressed.

9 min: Miller releases Broadfoot on the right and the big full back wins a free kick when Brian Easton barges him off the ball. Thomson swings in the set piece and it flies just wide of the far post.

7 min: Gers win their first corner but as the ball is floated in Boyd is penalised for a push in the box.

6 min: Miller chases down another long ball but Tomas Cerny gets there just ahead of him and manages to hang on to the ball at the edge of his box.

4 min: Beasley wins a free kick on the left as he is pushed off the ball by Alex Neil. Boyd wins a knockdown in the box from the resulting set piece but there’s no one there to pick up on it.

2 min: Miller chases a ball down the left but it skids off the slippery surface and out for a throw.

0 min: Hamilton get the game underway in strong winds and driving rain.

TEAMS
RANGERS: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weir, Papac; Davis, Mendes, Thomson, Beasley; Miller, Boyd.
SUBS: Alexander, Dailly, McMillan, Loy, Darcheville, Lafferty, Novo.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Mensing, Easton, McCarthy, Swailes, Canning, McClenahan, McArthur, Akins, Neil, Gibson.
SUBS: Murdoch, Elebert, Casement, Ettien, Corcoran, Offiong, Graham.

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Hamilton Accies v Rangers

October 24, 2008

Venue: New Douglas Park Date: Saturday, 25 October Kick-off: 1230 BSTCoverage: BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sport website. Highlights on website from midnight on Sunday and on Monday’s Sportscene, BBC One Scotland @ 2235 BST

Match Odds  Hamilton 9/1 Draw 15/4 Rangers 1/3

Saturday’s Scottish Premier League visit by Rangers comes too soon for Mark McLaughlin as the defender continues his return from injury. 

But manager Billy Reid has no fresh injury worries and will name a similar side to the one that lost at home to St Mirren last weekend.

Lee McCulloch, Steven Whittaker and Chris Burke are all available to Rangers after recovering from injury.

But the game comes too soon for returning captain Barry Ferguson.

 

Hamilton Academical: (from) Cerny, Mensing, Casement, Canning, Swailes, Easton, McCarthy, McArthur, Neil, Corcoran, Akins, Offiong, Graham, Ettien, Murdoch, Elebert, Lyle, Taylor.

Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Papac, Weir, Bougherra, Thomson, Lafferty, Mendes, Adam, Davis, Darcheville, Boyd, Miller, Alexander, Beasley, Dailly, Niguez, Loy, McCulloch, Whittaker, Burke.

 

Rangers manager Walter Smith:
“Barry Ferguson’s been a big factor in our team, so we look forward to him coming back.

“But we’ve got a squad of players there and it’s not necessary to rush him back. We will make sure he’s right this time.

“After losing to St Mirren, we have to make sure we are ready for this one.

“But it will be a tough one for us. When a team gets promotion, they are always highly-motivated in their games against Rangers and Celtic, especially in the home matches.”

 

Last season: n/a

 

 

CLUB FORM

HAMILTON ACCIES

Last five league matches: W L L L L

Top scorer: David Graham - 3

 

 

RANGERS

Last five matches: W W W W L

Top scorers: Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller - 4

 

REFEREE

Douglas McDonald

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Novo considers Scotland

October 24, 2008

Rangers’ Spanish striker Nacho Novo admits he would consider switching his international allegiance to Scotland.  

The Gers star qualifies for British citizenship after spending eight years on these shores, taking in spells at Raith Rovers and Dundee prior to a move to Ibrox.

Should the government grant him dual nationality the 29-year-old would then be eligible to play for any of the home nations.

With that in mind, and having been unable to force his way into the Spain side over the years, Novo has revealed that he would seriously consider an approach from the Scottish Football Association, should they require his services.

He is not the first Spaniard to be linked with an international change of heart, though, with Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and Everton playmaker Mikel Arteta believed to be interesting England.

Settled

“If the SFA want to speak to me about it then of course I would be very interested in playing for Scotland,” he told the Daily Record.

“After all my time here I feel as if this is my home now.

“I know all about Almunia’s situation with England and I read somewhere that my old Rangers team-mate Mikel Arteta is also supposed to be interesting (Fabio) Capello, so it’s not as if this kind of thing does not happen elsewhere.

“People have told me before that I could qualify for Scotland but no-one from the SFA has spoken to me about it so it’s not something I’ve had to seriously consider.

“Maybe a few years ago it would have seemed a little strange but now, after eight years in Scotland, I feel as if I am part of the country.

“My kids are Scottish and everyone here has treated me so well throughout my time here that I consider myself to be at home here.

“So if someone from the SFA was to ask me about the possibility of playing for Scotland then I would probably say yes.”

 

Priority

Meanwhile, the SFA have refused to rule out the possibility of Novo representing the country in the future.

“While our priority will always be to invest in home grown talent, if the manager wants to pick a player who is eligible and who he thinks will do a job for Scotland then he should always be allowed to do so,” said an SFA spokesman.

“In the case of Nacho Novo, at present he does not hold a British passport and is therefore not eligible to play for any of the home nations.

“If that situation were to change then he would be considered like any other player.”

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WBA back in for Thomson

October 24, 2008

 

WEST BROM will go back in for Rangers’ Kevin Thomson in the January transfer window.

The midfielder was a target for Tony Mowbray in the summer and the Midlands club have been monitoring developments since.

The return of Barry Ferguson from long-term injury plus the signings of Pedro Mendes and Steve Davis may reduce Thomson’s chances of a regular game at Ibrox. The right transfer fee could tempt Rangers to part with the player they bought from Hibs for £2million 18 months ago.

Thomson has recently had to contend with becoming the victim of mindless vandalism, having had his car daubed with slogans in Edinburgh.

Last week in an interview with Record Sport, he told how he hoped not to become part of the Old Firm goldfish bowl.

He said: “If I wanted to draw attention to myself I could. But I’m a quiet-living guy.”

West Brom have made a decent start to the Premiership after winning promotion last season but last Saturday’s 4-0 hammering from Manchester United convinced Mowbray new signings are necessary.

He said: “We know the positions that need to be addressed and we’ll be doing that in January.”

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The last man standing

October 22, 2008

 

IN THE twenty one months that Walter Smith has been back at Ibrox he has completely revamped his playing squad.

The equivalent of an entire first team squad has arrived as 26 players signed on at Murray Park during his second reign as Gers boss.

To make room for his new charges Smith has shown the door to almost as many players, most notably the signings of his predecessor Paul Le Guen.

Of the acquisitions the Frenchman made during his ill fated six month spell in Govan only one remains a part of Smith’s first team plans.

Sasa Papac has not only survived Smith’s cull he has become one of his side’s most consistent performers.

Originally a centre back for Austria Vienna, Papac switched to full back to fill a problem position when Stevie Smith picked up the first of a long list of injuries.

Despite facing competition for the spot from Steven Whittaker last term, Papac was repeatedly recalled to the side for crunch matches.

The 28-year-old played all but one of the club’s 19 European fixtures last year and featured in the finals all three cup competitions.

His defensive attributes played a key part in a defence that didn’t concede a single goal at home in the UEFA Cup.

But he faced stiffer competition from Whittaker domestically as Walter Smith looked for a greater attacking threat for his full backs.

It is clearly an aspect that Papac has worked on over the summer as a change in tactics has seen the Bosnian spend an increasing amount of time in the opposition half.

That new dimension to his game has seen him make the left back slot his own this season, missing only one game after a red card against Kilmarnock last month.

And Papac credits his current manager with rescuing his Gers career and improving him as a footballer.

He told Rangers News: “I had problems almost from the first day here. Le Guen’s time in charge was not easy. After less than three months we were all under pressure.

“Everyone; the coaches, the players were under pressure and I thought maybe everyone at Rangers would have to leave.

“Now everything is the opposite. I am really happy being here. It is a big satisfaction for me that I have survived from that time.

“I enjoy everything more under Walter Smith. We have a good team now with the new players that came with the manager.

“He knows Scottish football and how teams must work here. He knows what kind of players we need and he has brought them to the club.

“And he gets a lot from every player. He has helped me and other players to be better.

“I am a different player now. I attack more and I am happy on the left of the defence. That is because of training and because of the manager.

“I just try to train well and play well, that is all I can do and what I must do for Rangers.

“We have more time for training this season and we have to make sure we train well. When you do well in training it can make you a better player.

“This season I am playing further forward and I am really enjoying my football and I am enjoying playing on the left.”

With a place in the starting eleven all but cemented, Papac’s target is now to bring the SPL title to Ibrox in his third season with the club.

He said: “This is my third year and we haven’t won the league yet so it is important that we get the title this year, but we have many games to win if we want to do that.

“It is one of the best moments in your career if you can win a league title in any country. I experienced it in Austria and I would love to have that experience again in Scotland.

“It’s my third year here now and if I can sign for another two I will have five years at Rangers and that’s amazing.

“It’s a fantastic achievement if you can spend five years of your career at a club like this.”

And Papac believes that a development in the team’s style this season will benefit them as they aim to reclaim the league crown.

As well as his own increased involvement in attacking moves, the Bosnian recognises that it is a shift in tactics that has allowed his own game to evolve.

He added: “It’s not just me that is playing further forward. The team’s tactics have changed and we are all playing in a more attacking way.

“We try to protect the ball and avoid playing long balls. We are playing more often with two or three strikers and it is better to watch.

“Every game we have played we have a lot of chances and I just play a part in that. Kirk is the same on the other side - we both try to support the strikers when we have a chance.

“We have a lot of good players in midfield and sometimes the player in front of me changes but I don’t mind who is playing there.

“Charlie Adam, Lee McCulloch and DaMarcus Beasley are all good players and I have an understanding with each of them.”

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Miller and Thomson set for return

October 22, 2008

Rangers manager Walter Smith expects to have Kenny Miller and Kevin Thomson to be fit for the SPL trip to Hamilton.  

Striker Miller and midfielder Thomson withdrew injured from the Scotland squad for the recent World Cup qualifier with Norway.

Miller needed an injection on a niggly hamstring strain while Thomson suffered an ankle injury against St Mirren

“I think Kevin and Kenny will be fine for Saturday,” Smith told the club’s official website.

“Kevin has an ankle injury which was a bit swollen and it took a bit to settle. He only trained towards the end of last week, but the extra time will mean he is fully fit for Hamilton.

“Kenny had the injection in his hamstring and that required a period where he couldn’t train, but he came back last week and there has been no problem with it.”

The weekend trip to New Douglas Park comes too soon for captain Barry Ferguson, who played his first match for five months in a reserve game against St Mirren.

Striker Kyle Lafferty, who has also been struggling with injury, could force his way into a starting place against Hamilton after impressing his manager on international duty with Northern Ireland.

It was good to see Kyle and Steve (Davis) doing well for Northern Ireland last week and them getting a goal each,” said Smith.

“Kyle needed the games because he has not featured for us as much as we would have liked.”

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Fergies Return

October 21, 2008

 


BARRY FERGUSON made a low-key comeback as he played 62 minutes of Rangers’ 3-0 SPL Reserve League win over St Mirren at Love Street this afternoon.

The skipper has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the last four months and hasn’t played since May’s 3-2 Scottish Cup final win over Queen of the South.

But after stepping up his training in recent weeks following surgery on the problem, he was able to pull on a Gers shirt for the first time this season in Paisley.

It was a quiet first half for the 30-year-old, although he did become more involved after the break until Andrew Shinnie replaced him.

And although Walter Smith has said Ferguson won’t feature against Hamilton on Saturday, the player himself will be eager to take part at New Douglas Park.

The Scotland captain wasn’t the only person with good reason to smile and Stevie Smith also played his first match of the campaign.

He has endured a torrid time over the last two years with injuries but he completed 67 minutes before Steven Kinniburgh took his place.

Chris Burke and Lee McCulloch both capped their comebacks from injuries with goals while Maurice Edu and Andrius Velicka were among the other first-team stars involved.

Edu had a chance to put Rangers ahead inside 90 seconds in front of a sizable crowd but keeper Chris Smith denied him when it looked as though he might give away a penalty.

Aaron also went close before McCulloch, playing at centre-half, put the visitors ahead on 10 minutes with a soaring header from Burke’s right-wing free kick.

Ferguson had his first chance to shine seconds later when Velicka was fouled 20 yards from goal.

But although he cleared the wall with his free kick, the effort was tame and trundled straight into Smith’s arms.

Burke almost made it 2-0 when Marc McAusland’s was short with a passback and his effort was well saved.

From the resulting corner, Christian Dailly had a header scrambled off the line but another goal didn’t look far away.

Luckily for McCulloch, it wasn’t an equaliser when his mistake gave Craig Dargo sight of the upright and Graeme Smith denied him.

Rory Loy had a wonderful chance to double the advantage when Edu’s pinpoint chance set him free and he skinned two men before curling inches past.

Burke also made something from nothing as he unleashed a vicious rising drive that shot a foot wide before Velicka had a header on the line touched away from him.

Just a single goal separated the sides at the midway point but Rangers set about trying to change that after the break.

Loy was on target but had his attempt held and McCulloch headed over from a corner when he and Aaron both went for the ball.

While they couldn’t net, Burke could and he bagged Gers’ second on 55 minutes. It was a great goal and his left-foot finish from 20 yards capped a fine run from the halfway line.

Ferguson and Smith both came off as the match lurched into the closing stages and at that point, it seemed Rangers were happy to settle on the winning scoreline they had.

But Loy stroked in a deserved third to seal a comfortable win 10 minutes from full-time when he broke the offside trap to collect Shinnie’s pass and put it past Smith.

RANGERS: G. Smith, McMillan, S. Smith (Kinniburgh 67), McCulloch, Dailly, Ferguson (Shinnie 62), Burke (Efrem 81), Edu, Loy, Velicka, Aaron.

Subs not used: Vaiculis, McLachlan.

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