No Barry

[ian1964 10,780]

WALTER SMITH will not give in to temptation and recall Barry Ferguson for tomorrow's SPL trip to Hamilton.

 

The Rangers skipper made his comeback after four months out injured on Tuesday when he played 62 minutes of the 3-0 reserve win at St Mirren.

 

Ferguson looked comfortable at Love Street and has continued to be heavily involved in training in the latter part of the week.

 

But given the amount of time he has spent on the sidelines, Smith is adamant he has no intention of using the 30-year-old at New Douglas Park.

 

The manager said: "Barry played in the reserve game the other day but he has been out for four months now and it'll take him a while to get ready.

 

"We've got another reserve game next week and hopefully we can fit in a bounce match as well.

 

"I'm sure after he gets two - maybe three - games under his belt, we can start looking at getting him back into the first team.

 

"It's important for us to get all of our best players back and he has been a big factor in our team so we look forward to him returning.

 

"But we have a squad of players there and it is not necessary to rush him back. We'll make sure he is right this time.

 

"With that, I mean fitness-wise. His injury has totally cleared up and there's no problem with it now. It's just a matter of getting his fitness ready."

 

While Ferguson won't be involved, Lee McCulloch is pushing for a return after scoring in his latest second-string appearance in midweek.

 

Chris Burke is another who is hoping to be in contention after a fine goal and an impressive performance against the Buddies.

 

Steven Whittaker and Steven Smith are also back in full training but are unlikely to make the trip to Lanarkshire.

 

Smith added: "We've got a selection headache now as we've got a large group of players available and it's down to me to select the right ones to win games.

 

"There is good competition and that's a great thing. We've got quite a number of players coming back into the squad now.

 

"Lee is fit again, Barry's on his way and Steven Whittaker and Steven Smith returned into the group this week. I've got a lot to choose from."

[Gribz 966]

Sensible decision IMO and a tight rough away game like Hamilton wouldnt be the best place for him to return. He'd be better of in a home match where we control the pace and play so he can adjust into the game.

[Jon 0]

I thought it would be to soon for him to feature tbh and when most of the squad is fit there is no point in rushing him back no matter how desperate the player himself is.