Jelavic keeps jittery Rangers on Celtic heels

RANGERS kept on the coat tails of Celtic as they made hard work of their 1-0 win over Hamilton yesterday.

Accies were denied the opener when Dougie Imrie has his spot kick saved by Allan McGregor when the game was still deadlocked.

Nikica Jelavic’s strike kept Rangers within touching distance of leaders Celtic. He was fouled by Alex Neil just outside the area and brushed himself off to send a swerving free-kick into the back of the net.

Rangers boss Walter Smith has had his fair share of injury problems this season and admits he needs some of those on the casualty list back in action for the remaining games to give his side a boost.

He said: “It will certainly help us, there is no doubt about that.

“The players are giving a great deal so it’s not a complaint about my team today and I’m sure they will show a good reaction in Wednesday’s game at Aberdeen.”

One of those players sidelined at the moment is Vladimir Weiss, who looks to be out of the title run-in after revealing he has a broken bone in his foot. But Smith has refused to give up hope of the on-loan Manchester City winger playing again this season.

He said: “I don’t think he will be out for the rest of the season. The indications earlier on were that once the bruising on the bone starts to improve, he will have an opportunity to get back. We will just have to wait and see.”

Also out of action is Madjid Bougherra, with reports yesterday also claiming he has reluctantly rejected a two-year contract extension.

Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster admits the Bhoys can expect more nervous encounters between now and the end of the season after being forced to grind out a narrow win over St Mirren on Saturday.

The clash at Parkhead appeared to be heading for a drab goalless stalemate, with little in the way of excitement from either side.

Kris Commons was then thrown into the action late on and had a much needed impact with the only goal of the game after 79 minutes to secure a 1-0 win.

Celtic are two points clear at the summit and Forster insists the outcome is all that matters.

The goalkeeper said: “There was a bit of relief at the end but there are going to be games like that between now and the end of the season.

“It’s just about getting the three points and it doesn’t matter how you do it. It wasn’t our best performance but we got the three points in the end.

“There will be games where we just have to grind out results and they won’t be pretty.

“It’s all about getting the points on the board, it doesn’t matter how you do it at this stage of the season.”

Commons has started the last couple of games on the bench and Forster had sympathy for his plight, having netted five goals in 11 appearances before Saturday.

He said: “He’s been brilliant ever since he came in for his first game. He came on and scored a great goal.

“We’ve just got such a good squad that it’s harsh on players to be honest because some have to sit out when they would start for a lot of teams.

“But everyone will get their chance over the next few weeks and we will need everyone in the squad.”

Meanwhile, assistant manager Johan Mjallby hopes Shaun Maloney can have a big part to play in the remaining games after making his comeback following four months on the sidelines.

He said: “He was arguably one of our best players before he got injured. He’s got experience, he’s a clever player and he knows how to put himself in good positions.

“Hopefully he will stay fit now because he is definitely in the running.”