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. 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.McCulloch declared himself ready to play against Spain but he only lasted 45 minutes before being replaced by Charlie Adam.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.McCulloch said: "I felt my groin and that previous injury tighten up."I'm in for treatment so hopefully I'll not be out for ages."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.But the emergence of 19-year-old Kyle Hutton in midfield could give Smith options should McCulloch fail to make Saturday's game.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.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."Not going on the pre-season tour just made me look at things and work harder," Hutton told the Rangers News."It made me determined to make sure I could be involved."I got a chance in the Clyde game and felt I did well and then there was the Newcastle game at Ibrox."I got on in that game and although it was only 10 minutes it was another step and that was really encouraging."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."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."Things have been going really well. I didn't think I would have been as involved as I have been to be honest."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."

Source: Team_Talk