Gribz 743 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 STEVIE SMITH is in a Rangers team for the first time since December 2006 for today's Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Partick Thistle at Firhill. The full-back has not featured since the 1-1 draw with Celtic 16 months ago because of a long-term pelvic problem but finally makes his comeback against the Jags. Kirk Broadfoot's one-match suspension allows the 22-year-old to return and he is one of seven changes to the team which beat Sporting 2-0 on Thursday. Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Steven Davis, Sasa Papac and Brahim Hemdani have also dropped out of the first XI. In their places come David Weir, Chris Burke, Kris Boyd, Nacho Novo and Steven Naismith in a 4-4-2 formation. Euro hero Steven Whittaker also starts the game at right-back. Following Queen of the South's semi-final win over Aberdeen yesterday, Rangers have a real opportunity to claim their first Scottish Cup for five years. Another First Division outfit - St Johnstone - await the winners of this tie in the last four and Walter Smith is fielding a strong side to give Gers their best chance of going through. RANGERS: McGregor; Whittaker, Weir, Cuellar, Smith; Burke, Dailly, Thomson, Naismith; Novo, Boyd. Subs: Alexander, Ferguson, Cousin, McCulloch, Furman, 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
juffery 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Bastardo, beat me to it. Fantastic news. Hopefully Furryman will get a wee run out but no Gow or Buffel in the 16. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser54 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Hopefully he performas good and doesnt pick up a knock Still raging that the game isnt on the radio for the first half 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 743 Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 Hopefully he performas good and doesnt pick up a knock Still raging that the game isnt on the radio for the first half Im still raging BBC dont let me listen to any games on live now. Surely the game is on MW while the mhanks game is FM until the 2nd half?? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraser54 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Im still raging BBC dont let me listen to any games on live now. Surely the game is on MW while the mhanks game is FM until the 2nd half?? Only on MW, was listning to all the build up, then they say cross over to the Motherwell v Celtic game and we will bring the second half coverage of Partick v Rangers live 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ascender 352 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Great news to see him back in the first XI. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
calscot 0 Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 He'll be like a new signing next year, but will have to displace a consistent Papac. However, Smith was always better than Hutton and if he can recapture his pre-injury form then Papac hasn't a chance in hell of keeping young Stevie out of the team. We'll have a Hutton++ on the left, which should make us a much better team to watch too. If Whittaker also plays to his potential on the right, we'll be a more balanced team with two proper full backs rather than four centre backs. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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