Nacho Comeback Chance

[ian1964 10,720]

NACHO NOVO could be recalled to the Rangers starting line-up for the first time since January 31 as Walter Smith seeks a return to winning ways in the SPL.

 

Rangers have dropped five ponts in their last two matches and also suffered the disappointment of Kyle Lafferty being sidelined with an ankle problem.

 

So Smith has to get the mix right as he prepares for the clash with Falkirk on Sunday.

 

Kyle LaffertyHe said: "We will lose Kyle for at least another three weeks. He has a bit of bruising on the bone in his ankle.

 

"It's disappointing because he had playing well recently. I felt he was excellent against Hearts.

 

"However, we have other front players we can bring in and we will cover for that.

 

"Nacho is an option for us. He wasn't quite ready to start the Hearts game but he is fine now and hopefully he can produce his best form in the run-in to the end of the season."

 

The Rangers manager knows Rangers must show a run of consistency as the campaign goes into the finel nine matches and he is just glad that he is still in touch.

 

Celtic's 2-2 draw at Tannadice means the gap is three points so everything is still open.

 

He said: "I think both Gordon Strachan and me said we felt points would be dropped and that's been the case.

 

"We are obviously disappointed that after a terrific first half performance against Hearts we were poor in the second half which allowed them back into the game.

 

"Clearly it was a case of points dropped there. Indeed we have dropped five in our last two games, which is obviously not a good thing at this time of the year.

 

"The only good thing we can take is that we do find ourselves in a position where we still in touch for the Championship.

 

"Hopefully we can reach a level of consistency in the remaining nine games but we will have to work hard.

 

"None of the teams are going to ease off as there is lot to play for as Hearts showed two weeks ago.

 

"What we have to do is respond better when we are put under pressure and make sure we win matches when we are in a winning position, as we were against Hearts."