Smith closer to Rangers return

Steven Smith could be just a matter of weeks away from finally making his Rangers comeback.

The left-back, 22, has endured a year of frustration on the sidelines with an ongoing pelvic injury.

However successful surgery on the problem area in Germany recently means the talented youngster could eventually be on the comeback trail.

In a further boost for the Ibrox club, injury-jinxed defender Andy Webster, 25, could also be back in action soon.

First-team coach Kenny McDowall told Rangers News: “Andy and Stevie are working away with us and neither of them has had any reaction which is great news for us and for them.

“Stevie has been out for a long time – as has Andy – and he has been upping the pace recently which suggests he is not that far away.

“It has been a real shame for someone at a young age when their body has not allowed them to kick on but hopefully we have now cured the problem and he can move on from here.”

Meanwhile, DaMarcus Beasley will discover the extent of his injury later this week after returning to his native United States for surgery after sustaining knee ligament damage in last week’s Champions League defeat to Stuttgart.

Despite being told he faces months, rather than weeks, on the sidelines, the 25-year-old winger is hoping for a reasonably quick return.

“I’m very optimistic,” he said. “I recover fast. I haven’t been injured too often so I’m hoping for the best.”

Beasley was injured in a collision with goalkeeper Rafael Schafer but added: “It’s nobody’s fault – that’s just what happens in football sometimes. I just got my leg caught in the challenge.”