Rangers fear Kevin Thomson lay-off for Old Firm showdown with Celtic

By Peter Jardine for MailOnline Updated: 20:04 EST, 20 December 2009

Rangers fear midfielder Kevin Thomson will join Madjid Bougherra and Pedro Mendes on the absent list for the crucial Old Firm showdown at Parkhead on January 3.

The midfielder suffered a calf injury in Saturday's 6-1 savaging of Motherwell that opened up a four-point lead for Walter Smith's side at the top of the SPL.

Thomson had treatment at Murray Park yesterday and a scan this morning will determine the full extent of the injury.

Kevin Thomson

Down and out? Kevin Thomson receives treatment from the Rangers physio

'Kevin is doubtful for the games over the next fortnight, but we will have to wait to see the results of the scan,' said Smith last night.

Bougherra will be on international duty with Algeria for the African Cup of Nations, while Portuguese midfielder Mendes is not expected to make a first-team return until well into the New Year.

Brighter news, however, is that United States international Maurice Edu, who has been out injured since May, will face Partick Thistle in a bounce game at Murray Park today - weather permitting - as he steps up his own recovery.

Kenny Miller

Savage: Kenny Miller helped his side to a four-point lead at the top of the SPL

Smith hopes to give Edu more comeback action over the festive period and the injury to Thomson may accelerate the American's elevation to the first-team squad.

Rangers, meanwhile, have dismissed any suggestion that they will move for Dundee United goakeeper Nicky Weaver in next month's transfer window. The Englishman is out of contract and could sign for no fee.

But Rangers have Allan McGregor and Neil Alexander and insist they do not intend making any move. The keeper himself said: 'I'm grateful for the chance Dundee United have given me since I came up to Scotland.

'I have three games left to play, then I will be a free agent. There's talk of a few clubs being interested in me.

'But I want to be playing regular football, rather than sitting on the bench. I'm 30 years of age. If I were 36 or 37, I might think otherwise, but certainly not at the moment.'


Comments (1)

Share what you think

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now