Henry absence offers no relief for Rangers

Rangers striker Steven Naismith insists the possible absence of Thierry Henry from the Barcelona side will make little difference when the two sides meet in the Nou Camp next Wednesday night.

The former Arsenal striker missed last night’s Primera Liga match against Real Valladolid after tests revealed an inflammation of tissue around his left Achilles tendon and he is also a doubt for Sunday’s league clash with Real Betis.

Rangers hung on for a 0-0 draw against the Catalan side at Ibrox and Naismith, 21, is looking forward to an equally tough time in Spain regardless of whether Henry plays or not.

Asked about the possibility of Henry missing the game, Naismith said: “They will just roll in one of their other big stars.

“Barcelona are a massive club and whoever plays will be great so the boys will have to be at their best.

“The boys put in a great shift in the first game to get a draw.

“I’m sure the manager will have watched them and come up with a plan of action for this game.

“We won’t be going out there to enjoy it and not be caring about the result.

“Obviously we will try to enjoy it but first and foremost it is about getting the result.

“It’s maybe harder for some of the boys to get up for the SPL games rather than going to the Nou Camp where no-one on the planet would need motivating.

“But that’s the players’ jobs and we all have to do it.

“It will be great. Anybody who says differently is telling lies.

“No disrespect to Peterhead but I was playing against them for Kilmarnock, then three weeks later I was playing against Lyon.

“The Champions League is the highest stage in the world and everyone wants to be involved in it and I’m glad I’m part of the squad.”

Before they focus on Barcelona, Rangers take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

And Inverness player-manager Craig Brewster insists his side’s good record at Ibrox means they should have no fears over the trip to Glasgow.

Brewster watched his team slump to a 4-1 defeat at Aberdeen in the quarter-finals of the CIS Insurance Cup on Wednesday night.

But the Inverness boss believes his players have the ability to bounce back against Rangers, at a ground where they have only lost once since being promoted to the top flight in 2004.

Brewster believes as long as his players avoid conceding an early goal, they have every chance of recording another positive result.

He said: “We have got to forget about what happened against Aberdeen and focus on Saturday’s game against Rangers.

“We have a good record down there and have done well before, so why not again?

“The key is to start well and the longer we are able to keep the home support quiet then the better the chance we have.”