Rangers boss Walter Smith is considering captain Barry Ferguson for the October 18 Scottish Premier League clash at Ibrox. Smith insists he will not rush the 30-year-old Scotland skipper back after injury but said: "I don't know yet if he will be able to play in next week's reserve game at Hibs.

"We will see how his training goes this week.

"He had a full week's training last week and if he can get another full week in then we can look at him playing in the Hibs game.

"However, we will wait until he is ready. There is no point in us pushing him as that could set him back.

"He has been out for a few months now and when a player is out for that long, when he comes back he has to be fully prepared for it.

"We will give Barry the time that is necessary and if it is not next week then it will be the week after."

He added: "He will need a few games but that doesn't mean he can't be involved in the first team, if he feels as though he can do that.

"His injury has cleared up now. It's just a matter of getting to the required levels of fitness and as long as he feels okay, it would not preclude him from being involved in the games."