Rangers pair hopeful for Old Firm derby

Rangers duo Alan Hutton and Allan McGregor are winning their fitness battles ahead of Premier League clash with Celtic at Ibrox.

Both players were forced to withdraw from Scotland duty after suffering injuries. Hutton strained his calf against Ukraine last Saturday while McGregor sustained an arm injury on the eve of that match at Hampden Park.

That meant both were unable to make the trip to Georgia for Scotland’s crucial Euro 2008 qualifier and Rangers boss Walter Smith is now hoping the rest of his international players return unscathed.

Barry Ferguson, David Weir and Kris Boyd all made the trip to Tbilisi with Scotland, while DaMarcus Beasley will play for the United States in a friendly in Switzerland.

“The Celtic games are always important and this one is no different,” Smith told Rangers News.

“Preparation has been difficult due to the international matches and we just hope that all our players come back in good shape.

“We have to show that our performance against Hibs two weeks ago was a setback and I believe that we can.

“It will be a first taste of this fixture for some of the lads but I know they are looking forward to it.

“I think it is fair to say that the Old Firm matches will be important this season because of the tightness of the league.

“I said from the outset that the key for us was to be challenging again.”

The Old Firm derby is followed by the visit of Barcelona on Tuesday and confidence is high following back-to-back wins over Stuttgart and Lyon in the Champions League so far.

Smith added: “We are delighted with the start we have made in the Champions League and now we have the team who are clear favourites to win the group.

“They are a terrific side with some great individuals but we have great confidence in the group and hopefully we can show that next Tuesday.”