Barry's Highland Fling

[ian1964 10,416]

By Andrew Dickson

 

WALTER SMITH is hopeful Barry Ferguson will return to the Rangers line-up for this weekend's SPL clash with Inverness at Ibrox.

 

The Light Blues skipper returned to action in the reserves last Tuesday against St Mirren after four months out with ankle injury.

 

Ferguson is working with the group of players who have been selected in the squad for tomorrow night's home League Cup quarter-final with Hamilton.

 

But he is highly unlikely to feature in the game and will instead play in Wednesday's second-string fixture against Dundee United.

 

Should the 30-year-old come through that match unscathed, he will then come into contention for the meeting with Caley Jags.

 

Smith said: "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.

 

"I don't mean that in 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 Ssaturday.

 

"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."

[Super_Ally 0]

Not sure if he should be playing in the first team after 2 reserve games. Why rush him back, St Mirren aside we're doing ok.

 

Maybe give him the last half hour against ICT if we have it wrapped up.