Boab 73 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 PEDRO MENDES will miss the big SPL kick-off tomorrow with a thigh injury. The Portuguese midfielder has been unable to train with his team-mates at Murray Park this week and has been ruled out of Rangers' flag unfurling at home to Falkirk. And he could also miss next Sunday's clash with Hearts at Tynecastle depending on how he reacts to treatment over the next week. It's the last thing manager Walter Smith needs as he prepares for the start of Gers title with SIX first team players missing through injury and suspension. Smith prepared for going into the new campaign without the services of American internationalist Maurice Edu, who is still a few weeks away from returning after a knee operation at the end of last season, and Kirk Broadfoot who is recovering from foot surgery. advertisement With Sasa Papac (one game) and Kyle Lafferty (three games) both suspended, and other players struggling with slight knocks, it has left Rangers short as they aim to kick off the season with a win. And there was further bad news on the injury front. Nacho Novo could be out for a lengthy period with a shoulder injury sustained during training. The Spaniard will visit a specialist next week but Rangers fear he could be ruled out for a couple of months. Smith's immediate quandary is his midfield for the visit of the Bairns. The Mendes injury could force him to put Kevin Thomson into the starting line-up sooner than the Ibrox boss would have liked. He also has the option of Lee McCulloch in a holding role alongside Steven Davis, who now seems certain to revert to his favoured central role. http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/displa...rs_flag_day.php Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanFrontGers 1 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 This is why we need new players, get the finger out now Murray and buy some players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Depending on what system is played it's times like this he should be giving Fleck and Aaron a chance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Stars Bearette 1 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 with our skinny squad this just demonstrates how tough it is going to be this season when players get injured Nacho Edu Pedro plus Lafferty's n Sasa's ban...Thommo not yet 100% and what happens when Davie caves in? not to mention the transfer window is still open for more players to get nicked one good thing is Davis getting to go to his fave and best position in the middle Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cnicholl2910 1 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 McGregor Whitt Boogie Weir Smith Mcculloch Davis Fleck - Left Naismith - Right Miller Boyd We are missing a few players for tomorrow are we... Let naismith start - Have been impressed by his energy in pre-season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tumshie 205 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Davis, McCulloch and Fleck in the middle 2moro with Miller, Boyd and Naismith up front Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigreid 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 shit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmico1986 0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Davis, McCulloch and Fleck in the middle 2moro with Miller, Boyd and Naismith up front i would be happy with that. no point in rushing thomson back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Davis, McCulloch and Fleck in the middle 2moro with Miller, Boyd and Naismith up front i would be happy with that. no point in rushing thomson back. Exactly, as long as we attack from the start we will be fine, have KT on the bench and bring him on for a 20 minute run out, no need to start him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TannochsideBear 355 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 No quotes from anyone at the club about this, nothing on the official site. It surely couldnt be the Times making something up could it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 No quotes from anyone at the club about this, nothing on the official site. It surely couldnt be the Times making something up could it? Somebody did mention this to me last night tho they wanted it confirmed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The Times are usually pretty good though with this type of story, but yeah quite surprised there is nothing on the official site. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TannochsideBear 355 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just looks a bit dodgy Boab that the Times are claiming he has not trained all week, but there has been nothing in the many releases from Ibrox, or any quotes used in the story to source their claim. I assume we will have it clarified at the press conference today at MP one way or another. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boab 73 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just looks a bit dodgy Boab that the Times are claiming he has not trained all week, but there has been nothing in the many releases from Ibrox, or any quotes used in the story to source their claim. I assume we will have it clarified at the press conference today at MP one way or another. I agree. Lets wait and see. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GovanFrontGers 1 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 This is why we need new players, get the finger out now Murray and buy some players. Why on Earth would we want to buy new CM's?! Having Edu and Mendes injuredand Thomson unfit is an unlikely event, and one that we can't plan for! What happens when all are fit AND we have more players in the middle of the park?! EHH?? Never mentioned buying cm's, just new players for other postions such as cb, rb, lw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trueblue1872 2 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Just means davis will be pushed infield and fleck/aaron/Naisy will get a game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis 1 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Still nothing on the Rangers website. As has already been said if Mendes is out then we'll go with Davis, McCulloch and Fleck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amac9 2,060 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 This has thrown a spanner in the works. Will Davis move into CM with McCulloch? Will Aaron start? Thomson is not ready? This is something we definitely could have done without! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz52 11,837 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 this will sound daft but this may be a good thing it opens the door for youngsters like Aaron and Fleck to get a game infront of a good home crowd against a team that will surely be battling relegation Alexander Smith Boogie Weir Whitty Fleck/Naisy McCulloch Davis Aaron Miller Boyd I feel Smith will definetly go 4-4-2 tomorrow Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
super hans 55 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Alexander Whittaker Bougherra Weir Smith Davis McCulloch Ness Miller Boyd Naismith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 First game of the season and and we already have several players unavailable. This is why the squad needs at least a couple of additions to add more depth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCartmanLee 313 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 First game of the season and and we already have several players unavailable. This is why the squad needs at least a couple of additions to add more depth. What positions are we struggling to cover ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amac9 2,060 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 The sooner :edu: can get back the better! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 First game of the season and and we already have several players unavailable. This is why the squad needs at least a couple of additions to add more depth. What positions are we struggling to cover ? All of the back four positions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amac9 2,060 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Andy Shinnie anyone? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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