Hemdani ready for Rangers' UEFA Cup game

Brahim Hemdani has handed Rangers a timely boost by declaring himself fit for Thursday’s UEFA Cup quarter-final clash with Sporting Lisbon.

The midfielder has been a key man in Rangers’ European challenge this season, starting 13 of the club’s 14 games in the Champions League and UEFA Cup despite featuring in just 11 Scottish Premier League matches.

Boss Walter Smith has used the former Marseille captain to shield his back four and the effective tactic is likely to be employed against Sporting.

The 30-year-old has recovered from the groin injury which forced him to be substituted at half-time in the CIS Insurance Cup final, and Smith told www.rangers.co.uk: “Brahim Hemdani will be fit again.

“He has had a groin injury for the past couple of weeks which has ruled him out of the games.”

Smith also confirmed Kevin Thomson will be available for the first-leg clash against the Portuguese giants after recovering from the shin injury he sustained after scoring the winner in Saturday’s Old Firm game.