Problems piling up for Gers gaffer

09 April 2009 06:53
DaMarcus Beasley and Sasa Papac were both forced out of the SPL clash in Paisley and have been ruled out of Saturday's visit of Motherwell.[LNB]Beasley was taken to hospital with an injury to his ribs suffered early in the game, while Papac has had five stitches in an ankle gash.[LNB]"Beasley is in hospital," Smith confirmed. "I'm not quite sure what the result of that is yet.[LNB]"He certainly took a bad knock on the ribs, which led to him having to come off. Papac has had stitches."[LNB]Kenny Miller, Lee McCulloch, Kirk Broadfoot and Kyle Lafferty are also on the injury list, with Smith not expecting to welcome anyone back for the meeting with Motherwell.[LNB]He is also without the services of deposed skipper Barry Ferguson and goalkeeper Allan McGregor while they serve two-week suspensions handed out by the club following their antics while on international duty.[LNB]When asked if injuries are now catching up with Rangers at the wrong time of the season as they attempt to keep the pressure on Celtic in the title race, Smith replied: "If we continue to get the number of injuries that we have been getting in each of the games then it will be.[LNB]"But we just have to wait and see. We have lost the boys who went off for the weekend's game and we just have to try to make the most of what we have."[LNB]Kris Boyd set the ball rolling on the win, before Maurice Edu claimed his first goal for Rangers.[LNB]Andy Dorman then threw Saints a lifeline but Rangers held on for the victory which keeps them within three points of Celtic.[LNB]Edu has already spoken of his desire to make the most of Ferguson's absence after spending most of his debut season on the sidelines so far.[LNB]But Smith claims he does not see the American as a ready-made back-up for his former captain.[LNB]He said: "I don't see him as anyone's replacement - I see him as a good player.[LNB]"He has taken time to settle in as most players do when they come to play for Rangers and Celtic.[LNB]"Kyle Lafferty was just getting to the stage where he was beginning to know what Rangers are all about before he got injured and Maurice is the same.[LNB]"He was excellent in the first half but, like the rest of the team, didn't manage to get the same level of possession in the second half. But I was pleased overall."[LNB]Falkirk's defeat at Celtic Park means nothing changes at the bottom end of the table either and Saints boss Gus MacPherson believes the games against their relegation rivals will make the difference to their survival hopes, not the meetings with the Old Firm.[LNB]He said: "Over the 90 minutes when you play Rangers or Celtic, you believe you can get a result.[LNB]"But, over the course of a season, the gulf is apparent because of the resources they have.[LNB]"It comes down to the teams around you with the same resources and they are the games that matter."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk