Smith worried about lack of depth
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Rangers manager Walter Smith fears suspensions and injuries could turn their season into a struggle. The 62-year-old has lost five players this summer, with key pair Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson departing to Middlesbrough, and Stevie Smith, DaMarcus Beasley and Nacho Novo also moving on.

Smith, who is entering what he insists will be his last season in the dugout, saw a bid to buy his first player for more than two years fail last week when Burnley winger Chris Eagles rejected a switch to Ibrox. And the former defender is increasingly concerned about the depth of his squad as he bids to win a third successive Scottish Premier League title.

"Injuries and suspensions are what worry me right now, and more than ever before," Smith said ahead of Rangers' pre-season tour of Australia. "In fact, they are what worry me most as I look towards the new season.

"We still have a strong base of a team and if one or two more could be added that would be great. But when you are running with a small squad it's the number of injuries and suspensions that hit you harder.
Injuries and suspensions are what worry me right now, and more than ever before. There is no doubt that could inhibit us a bit.
Rangers manager Walter Smith

"You have to factor in the European football and the matches some of the boys will be playing with their national sides in the first part of the season. I can only hope that doesn't take its toll. There is no doubt that could inhibit us a bit in terms of any success."

Smith, whose side will play Blackburn Rovers, Sydney FC and AEK on their pre-season tour of Australia, added: "We just have to do everything we can to make sure everyone stays as fit as possible, but we have to keep a certain level of discipline in our play as well.

"In fairness to players, there are a lot of times when they get yellow cards for doing very little. But I will be stressing to every player the need to avoid cards.

"If we can keep as many as possible fit and out of trouble with refs then we will be as competitive as we have been in the past. But if we can't then we'll have a problem. It will be a bit of a struggle."

Rangers have already suffered an injury blow: Sasa Papac was withdrawn from the Australian trip as a precaution, after suffering a swollen knee during a collision in Sunday's friendly win over Queen of the South.

Andrius Velicka will also be absent when his team-mates depart today as he continues his recovery from the knee injury that has kept him out since August.