Mendes in line for Rangers game

Rangers were handed a Clydesdale Bank Premier League title boost with the news that Pedro Mendes should be fit for Sunday’s game against Hearts at Ibrox.

The Portuguese midfielder was carried off on a stretcher during Saturday’s Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-final win over St Mirren following a clash with Saints defender Will Haining.

Ibrox assistant boss Ally McCoist admitted after the game that the loss of Mendes “would be a serious blow to our title hopes”.

Rangers manager Walter Smith believed he might have to wait take 48 hours before the full extent of the damage on Mendes’ knee could be revealed.

However, the injury improved overnight and Smith got the news he and the Light Blues fans wanted.

He told the Daily Record: “It looks as though Pedro will recover in time for the Hearts match but if he doesn’t then he’ll certainly be ready for the Old Firm game.”