Ricksen ruled out

Rangers star Fernando Ricksen will be sidelined for at least a month with a torn stomach muscle, which has troubled him since the start of the season.

The Dutchman was substituted at half-time during the 3-2 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park and will now miss the festive period, starting with the home match against Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

Ricksen told The Scottish Sun: “I’ve had this problem all season long and there is nothing I can do about it.

“I’ve been playing for five months with a torn stomach muscle and should really be having a six-week rest.

“The truth is this has plagued me because all your energy and strength comes from the core of your body.

“It has floored me at times. There have been injections and you can’t keep going like that.”