Edu and Walter on Mo getting a run

[Boab 73]

The 23-year-old former Rookie of the Year in America's Major Soccer League signed for Rangers from Toronto in August 2008 on a five-year-contract for a fee of £2.6million. Due mainly to injuries, his career at Ibrox has been stop-start since then, and he was unable to establish himself in the first team until late last season when he served up a string of impressive performances.

His manager, Walter Smith, appreciated his efforts last year and hopes for more of the same. "He showed in the latter stages of last season how good a player he is," said Smith. "So he has just got to get playing, which is an awkward circumstance coming into the final stages of the season."

Although he gained a league winner's medal, a serious knee ligament injury sustained against Dundee United on the day Rangers won the 2008-09 title turned out to be worse than originally thought, and Edu missed the Scottish Cup final victory over Falkirk and did not play this season until the crushing 4-1 away win over Hibs in late December.

Another injury, this time to an ankle, interrupted his progress in mid-January – "it was very frustrating," he said – so the midweek appearance against St Mirren was his second comeback of the season.

"It is really about starting again after all the injuries," said Edu. "It's always difficult coming back, but it's great to get a couple of games under my belt and I felt pretty good out there fitness-wise.

"Now that I am back healthy, I hope I can stay that way and get a good run of games from here on in. There's still a lot of games to be played and I am trying to make sure that I am sharp and that my fitness is up to the mark.

"We are still involved in three trophies and of course this summer we have the World Cup. I am forgetting everything that's behind me and just looking at what's in front of me."

Edu knows he faces competition for a place in the Rangers starting XI even with familiar faces like Barry Ferguson gone. "There have been a lot of capable players who have come in and done well over the season so I always knew it would be difficult to get back in there, especially when the team's doing well. I just want to get more games."

Edu emphasised that consistency was the key to Rangers finishing the season well, and no doubt the fans who saw him play so well at the end of last season are hoping for a repeat dose from the midfielder. If they get it from the American, the chances are that California-born Edu of Glasgow Rangers will play for the USA in South Africa.

And as the player confirmed, he does know how popular he would be in Scotland were he to score the winner for the USA against you know who.

Edu said: "It was disappointing to miss this season's Champions League, especially the way last season ended.

"We won the league and Europe was something to look forward to but it didn't happen for me. It's been kind of stop-start for me since then but now I'm back fit and healthy, hopefully I can stay that way and get a run of games.

"It's definitely possible to make the same kind of impact I made at the tail end of last season. There are a lot of games to be played and I'm just trying to make sure I'm sharp and get my fitness up.

"The most important thing right now is that whoever comes in plays their part in the run-in and we can finish the season as strongly as we did last year.

"We still have three trophies to go for and hopefully we can do well in all three competitions."

Edu returned to action at the end of December, only to be sidelined again when he suffered an ankle injury against Hamilton in a Scottish Cup replay at Ibrox four games later.

After that false start, he is looking to hit the ground running again with the elusive Champions League dream a powerful incentive.

He said: "I thought I played decently against St Mirren in midweek, although there were some things I could have done better, but that will come.

"The main thing is I felt pretty good fitness wise. It's always difficult coming back after such a long time out so it was good to get my first 90 minutes under my belt.

"I'll feel more comfortable with every game I play. When I came back from my knee injury I was just dying to get back playing in the Champions League.

"I'd also missed the summer games in the Confederations Cup with the national team so I was hungry to get back playing.

"Then I picked up an ankle injury against Hamilton and that was frustrating. I just wanted to get back playing because we're still involved in three trophies and I want to play my part in that, especially after missing last season's Scottish Cup Final.

"Then of course there is the World Cup this summer so that's always in the back of my mind. It motivates me to keep working hard in training."

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scottish/scottish_sport/734797/Gers-ace-is-keen-to-make-up-for-lost-time-and-taste-success.html

A few months to go until the end of the season, will Edu get a run and in front of who?

I think he should replace McCulloch centrally. I'd like to see Davis and Edu centrally mind you.

http://sport.scotsman.com/rangersfc/South-Africa-gives-Edu-.6091025.jp

[super hans 55]

Don't see why he should replace McCulloch.

[Scott-RFC 308]

I wouldnt have him in place of McCulloch at the minute

Edu looks rusty, although Id maybe start him at home to the lower teams at home, to get his match fitness up

[GersBear 6]

Can't drop big Lee ATM. Edu needs games but McCullochs in pretty good form.

[nvager 498]

Edu on form and fully match fitis a great boost, but he needs more game time. For now McCulloch is better, but at some point Edu will become better.

[NOLUWDC 1]

Can't see him getting a run of games until next season. He doesn't really deserve to replace McCulloch or Thomson the now.

[wearethemighty 186]

With Edu getting back up to fitness and with the recent good form returning to KT and Lee and Davis firing on all cylinders atm we've got a very good center midfield. The question is who is goona be left out? Davis is the only one guaranteed a place in there, although he can play out wide, hes so much more effective in the middle and now its just a case of whos to partner him. Id personally go with Lee simply cos hes had a consistent run in there, but I can see Edu once fully fit partnering Davis there.

[grahamteuchter 1]

The problem is big Lee has been fantastice in there all season. Be harsh to leave him out, but an Edu Davis central midfield would be great

[thehost 11,061]

lol... replace a failed striker with a genuine midfielder at CM.... don't be silly that would never catch on. Next people will be looking for our midfielders to be ball winners and have an ability to pass, move and be mobile!

[GeneralCartmanLee 313]

How is he a failed striker, played in the premiership, and performed well, and played international football. A failed striker is a sebo or an ostenstad..

Mcculloch deserves his place in the team, he has done nothing to deserve him being dropped

[outlaw69uk 123]

How is he a failed striker, played in the premiership, and performed well, and played international football. A failed striker is a sebo or an ostenstad..

Mcculloch deserves his place in the team, he has done nothing to deserve him being dropped

Ah shite, I have to agree with you again

Still, its not unsurprising given McCulloch has turned into a player haha

[JRodgA2k8 542]

It's a shame because he was arguably our best player through the final sequence of games at the end of last season, I thought he had a big say in driving our time to the title.

His energy, composure and work rate in the tackle were fantastic for breaking up play and it's just a shame this serious injury had such an impact.

Can't leave big Lee out however, he has had a fantastic season and at a push is a contender for our POTY, has to be IMO. He has been solid in Central Midfield and has been the difference in many matches. The sooner the title is sewn up the sooner Edu will get a run in the team, right now we can't afford to take a chance.

[gsa 3,906]

Don't see why he should replace McCulloch.

Because Mcculloch is slow, offers the centre backs little protection and agaisnt decent teams he has struggled to get close enough to opposition midfielders to make tackles and disrupt play. The two celtic games and all the european games whould be prime example of just how good "big lee legend is".

[TannochsideBear 355]

I would certainly have Edu or Thomson in central midfield beside Davis miles before McCulloch.

While McCulloch has finally been able to produce some consistent form, quite simply the other players are better, and therefore to improve the team we should be ruthless enough to be able to pick the best available players.

However, Edu needs games to get match-fit, and the OF game will be too quick for someone not yet at match pace, but after the OF game, "big Lee" would be axed and never seen again whilst the others remain fit.

[mark_ni 12]

Can't leave big Lee out however, he has had a fantastic season and at a push is a contender for our POTY, has to be IMO

that would have to be some push. Mcculloch has had some good games this season but a lot of the time hes no better than average. Cant fault the guy for effort, hes certainly cut down the silly free kicks he was giving away but once edu and thomson are both fully match fit i would have either of them in there before big Lee.

[FlippinEck 3,750]

Edu played a big part in our run to the title last year so we all know he is more than capable, its just a case of him getting a chance and taking it, and when we keep winning without him in the team... it will be tough, but Id like to see him in the team... I think he is arguably one of the best players in our team and probably one of the fastest

[bluenose_72 198]

No room for him in the team at the moment. Saying that, I hope he gets some kind of match practice because his first touch was horrible against St Mirren!