Smith planning without Bougherra

28 December 2009 09:53
The defender was in fine form again at the weekend as the Scottish champions overcame the shock of conceding after 12 seconds to secure a 4-1 win over Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.[LNB]Reports originating from Algeria suggested Bougherra had been given permission to face Celtic in the January 3 clash before joining up with the rest of the national squad ahead of the African Nations Cup.[LNB]But, as far as Smith is concerned, the influential centre-half will only be available for Wednesday's game against Dundee United at Ibrox before joining up with his countrymen.[LNB]"That's the way it's looking at the present moment," said Smith.[LNB]The Rangers boss also looks set to be without DaMarcus Beasley for the next few weeks after he suffered an injury in training that kept him out of the clash with Hibs.[LNB]The United States international has enjoyed a fine return to form in the last few matches and Smith admits his absence is a blow.[LNB]"He has a tear in his thigh," said the Rangers boss.[LNB]"I'm not sure how long that will keep him out - two or three weeks maybe.[LNB]"It's disappointing in the sense that he is just back in the team and doing exceptionally well so it was disappointing it happened."[LNB]Better news for Smith is the form of his two strikers, Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller, with both on the score sheet again against Hibs as Rangers took their goals tally to an impressive 19 in five December games.[LNB]"They are playing very well just now," said Smith.[LNB]"They are doing well in all aspects of their game for the team and they are still managing to get goals, which is a good thing for us.[LNB]"I think the main thing for us all is the fact the team have worked harder over the last six or eight weeks or so and we are getting a decent benefit from that now."[LNB]Watching from the stand was new Scotland boss Craig Levein, who has revealed he would welcome Boyd back into the national team after the striker previously refused to play under George Burley.[LNB]But Smith refused to be drawn on whether he thinks Boyd and Miller will be given the opportunity to extend their partnership with the national team.[LNB]"That's up to Craig," he said.[LNB]"He will be going around and looking at everybody."[LNB]Hibs enjoyed a dream start when Anthony Stokes netted the fastest ever SPL goal.[LNB]But a double from Miller and goals from Boyd and Nacho Novo allowed Rangers to claim another emphatic win, with Hibs boss John Hughes now conceding his side have no hope of challenging for the title this season or even splitting the Old Firm.[LNB]"Over the course of the game Rangers ran out convincing winners," said Hughes.[LNB]"Did they have to do much to beat us? I think we beat ourselves at times.[LNB]"But I'm not going to be too hard on my boys. We just have to roll the sleeves up and bounce back.[LNB]"We got some answers today and possibly the biggest is that we can't match the Old Firm, which is disappointing."[LNB]However, Hughes refused to rule Celtic out of the running for the championship just yet, with the Bhoys now four points adrift of their Glasgow rivals.[LNB]"It's going to be a two-horse race," he added.[LNB]Meanwhile, Hughes expects goalkeeper Yves Ma-Kalambay to be fit for Wednesday's game against St Johnstone, despite appearing to struggle against Rangers.[LNB]"The big fellow tweaked his hamstring," said Hughes.[LNB]"We got him in at half-time and asked if he could carry on.[LNB]"Hopefully he will shake it off and be ready for Wednesday's game."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk