Thomson tipped to shine
01 Mar 2007 - 14:34:01
Rangers boss Walter Smith expects his players to receive a rough ride from home fans when they face Hibs on Sunday, but is convinced that his side have what it takes to claim all three points.
Former Hibs captain Kevin Thomson will undoubtedly bear the brunt of the home fans' wrath, but Smith feels his new signing will take it all in his stride.
Thomson, 22, moved to Ibrox from the Hibees for an undisclosed fee in the January transfer window
"Of course, with Kevin being an ex-Hibs player who has moved to one of the Old Firm then he is bound to come in for a little bit of stick. I think he fully expects it," Smith told the club's official website.
"I think Kevin is settling in well now. It was a difficult start for him with his injury, but he is over that and I'm sure he will be a very good player for us."
Ex-Hearts star David Weir can also expect to come in for some stick from the Easter Road faithful, but again Smith is confident that it won't pose a problem.
"Davie has to go back a bit in his memory in terms of the last time he played there for Hearts, but he will enjoy it," he continued.
Rangers are currently second in the SPL, 19 points adrift of league leaders Celtic, while Hibs are a further 12 points behind in fifth.