Bougherra injury blow for Rangers

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury, further limiting manager Walter Smith’s defensive options.

Bougherra is set to miss matches with Dundee United, St Johnstone and Hamilton with the problem suffered in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic.

Bougherra said in the Glasgow Evening Times: “I have had a scan and I’ve been told I will be out for a couple of weeks. I hope to be back for the last couple of games before the split.

“It is a little worse than I feared. I had hoped to play for Algeria against Morocco, but it just wasn’t possible.

“Now I just have to make sure I get over the injury and come back okay for the final games of the season.”

With Kyle Bartley, the on-loan Arsenal defender, out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and Kirk Broadfoot returning to fitness after a length absence, Smith is poised to turn to Steven Whittaker to play in central defence alongside David Weir.