Source: Team_Talk
McCulloch a doubt for Rangers
Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch is a doubt for the SPL clash against Motherwell after aggravating an injury in Scotland's 3-2 defeat by Spain.[LNB] McCulloch missed his club's previous match against Hearts with a hip problem and sat out training as Scotland prepared for their Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic, which he was suspended for.[LNB]McCulloch declared himself ready to play against Spain but he only lasted 45 minutes before being replaced by Charlie Adam.[LNB]The 32-year-old looks set to miss the visit of his former club and is also facing a fight to make the Champions League clash against Valencia at Ibrox next Wednesday.[LNB]McCulloch said: "I felt my groin and that previous injury tighten up.[LNB]"I'm in for treatment so hopefully I'll not be out for ages."[LNB]Rangers manager Walter Smith faces problems up front with Nikica Jelavic out for three months following ankle surgery and James Beattie struggling with a hip problem.[LNB]But the emergence of 19-year-old Kyle Hutton in midfield could give Smith options should McCulloch fail to make Saturday's game.[LNB]Hutton has worked his way into the first team this season, making his SPL debut against Kilmarnock and starting in the 7-2 Co-operative Insurance Cup win over Dunfermline.[LNB]Hutton was called into the Scotland Under-21 squad as cover for the play-off against Iceland this week and he revealed he had been spurred on by his failure to make his club's summer trip to Australia.[LNB]"Not going on the pre-season tour just made me look at things and work harder," Hutton told the Rangers News.[LNB]"It made me determined to make sure I could be involved.[LNB]"I got a chance in the Clyde game and felt I did well and then there was the Newcastle game at Ibrox.[LNB]"I got on in that game and although it was only 10 minutes it was another step and that was really encouraging.[LNB]"Then in the first SPL game the gaffer gave me the nod to go on. It was a surprise, I admit, but I hope I took it in my stride and the experience itself was brilliant.[LNB]"It was great to get 90 minutes against Dunfermline. I really enjoyed the experience and my next aim now has to be to get an SPL start.[LNB]"Things have been going really well. I didn't think I would have been as involved as I have been to be honest.[LNB]"I love the pressure that comes with playing for the first team. Obviously playing at Ibrox is something special and it hasn't fazed me so hopefully I can get some more games this season."
