Ferguson delays surgery

Barry Ferguson has vowed to delay surgery for as long as possible in a bid to help Rangers secure Champions League football.

The Ibrox skipper needs ankle reconstruction surgery after being plagued by injury problems throughout the season.

But he is no longer able to take the painkilling injections which have seen him through the campaign so far and he admitted last week that he could soon be forced under the knife.

However, Alex McLeish dismissed talk of an operation as premature following an inspirational display from his captain against Dundee United on Sunday.

Ferguson can expect to be sidelined for up to 16 weeks following the surgery, meaning he would miss the start of next season and the beginning of the Paul Le Guen era at Ibrox if he waits until the summer to have the operation.

But the 28-year-old midfielder is determined to play on through the pain and help Rangers pip Hearts to second place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

He told the Rangers News: “I want to play for as long as I can because we still have the Champions League place to go for.

“It’s also important for me because it is the gaffer’s last season and I want to do my bit for him because he is a guy I respect and I want to see him go off at the end of the season on a high with that Champions League slot secured.

“I’ll have to give it a go but I won’t be taking any pain killers again.

“I will be glad when the season ends so that I can get sorted and look forward to an injury-free season in the next campaign.”