No Madjid Sweat

[ian1964 10,720]

By Andrew Dickson

 

ALLY McCOIST is sure Madjid Bougherra will be fit for next weekend's League Cup final with Celtic despite having to take the Algerian off against Hamilton.

 

The 26-year-old took a kick to the calf in the second half of the 5-1 victory over Accies in the last eight of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox this afternoon.

 

bougherra_160He was taken off as a precaution and after club doctor Paul Jackson looked at the injury, he is expected to train normally later in the week.

 

That's great news for Rangers fans who had been worried when they saw the former Charlton man make way for Maurice Edu.

 

They will be pleased further by news that Pedro Mendes is in line to play in the Old Firm derby after suffering no reaction to the thigh strain that sidelined him last week.

 

The Portuguese midfielder played 61 minutes before he was replaced by Lee McCulloch, himself making a comeback after a recent calf knock.

 

McCoist, standing in as manager in the cup, said: "Madjid is fine and we didn't actually take him off because of the injury.

 

"He was away back home for a few days seeing his mum so we took him off for that reason.

 

"I'd be lying to you if I said I had been into the physio's room for myself to see how Madjid is doing but it would be a major surprise to me if he wasn't fine."

[Frankie 8,552]

Good news...

 

While we coped well enough defensively in his absence against Celtic at Ibrox we looked much more comfortable with him playing than not.

[maineflyer 0]

I look forward to having his availability confirmed. We have enough trouble dealing with balls into the box without having to re-jig the centre of our defence. Even if it is only those asswipes in hoops.

[Super_Ally 0]

Pat Nevin will be distraught at this news. :devil:

 

Agree wuth Frankie, I would be a lot more confident if he was partnering Weir than if Broadfoot had to fill in.