Rangers are having to face up to an injury crisis as Walter Smith’s problems mount. Madjid Bougherra is definately out of the clash with Hearts at Ibrox, while Kirk Broadfoot is highly unlikely to feature against the Tynecastle side.

Smith is running out of options at the back, and may have to field Lee McCulloch and Christian Dailly as his Central Defensive partnership against the Jambos. David Weir is suspended after his red card against Inverness, while Bougherra has failed to respond to treatment on a calf injury.

And forgotten man Andy Webster won’t be facing his former club as his injury problems go on. Losing a second league game in a row at Ibrox simply isn’t an option for Rangers with the fans demanding victory in the aftermath of the Co-operative Insurance Cup defeat by Celtic last weekend.

Smith last night defended his team against claims of a lack of character in the match with their arch rivals at Hampden.

He said, “If you win these games you’re great. If you lose them then you’re the worst team in the world. The whole team gets torn apart in the post-match analysis. I have to tread the middle line and keep the players focused. We have shown lots of character this season. But Hearts will be tough to break down.”

Will Rangers beat Hearts today? Will Hearts triumph or will it be a draw? If Rangers get beat is it time for Smith & Co. to go or should he leave in the summer? Is Smith the man to lead Rangers to the title or is he a lame duck? We want your views.

Source: Daily Record