Ibroxblue 122 Posted December 8, 2008 Share Posted December 8, 2008 Steven Naismith will end eight months on the Ibrox sidelines today when he makes his long-awaited comeback in a reserve outing at Murray Park. The Rangers forward, a £2million purchase from Kilmarnock, suffered cruciate knee-ligament damage in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden in April. Naismith then had corrective surgery shortly after the UEFA Cup Final in May before embarking on the long road to recovery. Now the 22-year-old is set to face St Mirren reserves at Rangers' training complex in Milngavie later today as Walter Smith welcomes back one of his long-term casualties. 'Steven could have played three or four weeks ago but the specialist involved wanted to give him more time to be ready,' revealed Smith. 'We are now hoping he could be back early in January. That is a pleasing thought beca use he offers us something different.' Ironically, Naismith's recovery may not be helped by a shutdown period for the SPL Reserve League, but Rangers intend to organise a couple of bounce games to ensure the player's continued progress. One target for him could be the Homecoming Scottish Cup fourth round visit to St Johnstone on Tuesday, January 13, with BBC Scotland to screen the Perth game live. Meanwhile, American international Maurice Edu has admitted he has struggled to come to terms with the SPL during his limited exposure to the Scottish game. Rangers spent £2.5m in August to land the defensive midfielder from Toronto. He played 65 minutes in a home win against Kilmarnock in September and the full match in the Ibrox victory against Hamilton in the League Cup in late October. But the 22-year- old last night revealed the SPL is proving to be a much more difficult place to play in than for Toronto in Major League Soccer and the National Collegiate Athletic Association, where he starred for University of Maryland. 'I've found the SPL to be a lot more physical than both,' he said. 'Though I haven't been involved in too many games yet, you can see the level of intensity everyone competes with. 'The number of challenges and tackles are increased and every game is truly a battle. 'Even in training, it is more physical and a battle as everyone is competing for a spot on the pitch.' Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm, meanwhile, has signed young Rangers defender Steven Kinniburgh on a month-long deal - and is hoping the Ibrox club will also farm out goalkeeper Lee Robinson. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...u.html?ITO=1490 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bringonthbarca 25 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Will be great to have stevie Naismith back, hes a player i think will have a massive future at ibrox. Just hope he can recapture his form and not head down the road Michael Mols did. Edu is a big physical lad from what i've seen and sure he'll adapt to the spl given time. There is no rush or point throwing him in when Mendes and Ferguson are doing a job and Ferguson trying to regain full fitness. Hes here for the long term. We should be loaning out more youngsters imo as they sure as hell aren't going to get a sniff with smith around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasGers 96 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 No need to rush Naisy back, he should take his time getting match fit. I would expect to see him around Feb. or March, but who knows? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookes 20 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I'm a fan of Naismith so I'm looking forward to seeing him back and seeing him back when he's ready. Great little player . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlegKuznetsov 10,816 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 It'll be a real boost to get Naismith back. He's real quality and he's got everything in his game; speed, skill, vision, strength finishing and attitude. He's also very versatile. A real boost. With Beasley, Burke and Aaron attaining full fitness we're better off in wide areas now and that was a bit of a problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookes 20 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 With Beasley, Burke and Aaron attaining full fitness we're better off in wide areas now and that was a bit of a problem. It's a shame we're getting them all back at once, a couple of them were needed well before now. When you see Adam and Lafferty on the wings you appreciate how important proper wingers are. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GersToronto 0 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 It will be great to see Naisy back on the pitch, once fit he will give us a great speedy option on the wing ( which we do need )! Being from Toronto it will be nice to see Edu get a run out as well! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlegKuznetsov 10,816 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 With Beasley, Burke and Aaron attaining full fitness we're better off in wide areas now and that was a bit of a problem. It's a shame we're getting them all back at once, a couple of them were needed well before now. When you see Adam and Lafferty on the wings you appreciate how important proper wingers are. Funny how it's always feast or famine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlegKuznetsov 10,816 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 It will be great to see Naisy back on the pitch, once fit he will give us a great speedy option on the wing ( which we do need )! Being from Toronto it will be nice to see Edu get a run out as well! Definitely. It's interesting to see Edu's words on the differences. Very interesting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chookes 20 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 With Beasley, Burke and Aaron attaining full fitness we're better off in wide areas now and that was a bit of a problem. It's a shame we're getting them all back at once, a couple of them were needed well before now. When you see Adam and Lafferty on the wings you appreciate how important proper wingers are. Funny how it's always feast or famine. True I much prefer the feast though. Countless wingers returning for us and I can't even remember how many different types of potatoes I've had this week. Yum . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMWWBK 0 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I can't stand it when they put 2+2 together and get 5. Edu said the SPL is more physical than the MLS, not more difficult. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
outlaw69uk 123 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Will be great to have stevie Naismith back, hes a player i think will have a massive future at ibrox. Just hope he can recapture his form and not head down the road Michael Mols did. Edu is a big physical lad from what i've seen and sure he'll adapt to the spl given time. There is no rush or point throwing him in when Mendes and Ferguson are doing a job and Ferguson trying to regain full fitness. Hes here for the long term. We should be loaning out more youngsters imo as they sure as hell aren't going to get a sniff with smith around. See, the highlighted bit makes sense, and, the player has said he is struggling to adapt, so, what need is there for the final line? It contradicts the part above. Thn again, perhaps Smith actually knows about where the players heads are at, and, thats the reason they arent in the first team yet? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Good news about Naisy, he is actually back a lot sooner than expected, and I doubt he will be rushed, but in the new year we need the full quota of our better players. As for Edu, it's always difficult going to a new country never mind a new league, but I'm sure he'll get used to it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaltersGotStyle 160 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 I hope he comes back fitter, in his last few months befor his injury he was well over weight! A great player when fit though! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManchestGer 347 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Good to hear Naismith is on the comeback Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaD CoW 3 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hopefully, wee Naismith will be as good as he was before his injury. I know it takes time for player to come back to there usual standards, but sometimes after a bad injury players might not always come back their usual selfs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billythebear1986 305 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 where do we play him when he comes back our troubled left wing or uptop with either boyd or miller Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 505 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Wee man also scored in today's game... Currently 3 - 1 to Rangers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poetry_In_Blue 1,043 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Excellent news was just going to ask if anyone knew how he was getting on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linfield 0 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Good news Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_RFC87 761 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Wonder if he'll solve our left mid problem Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_glasgow 2 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 Wonder if he'll solve our left mid problem hopefully not as he is mainly a striker Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Stars Bearette 1 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 great news about Naisy he can help our width problems remember Arsenal once wanted him and Wenger is an expert at spotting young talent Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest therabbitt Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 great news about Naisy he can help our width problems remember Arsenal once wanted him and Wenger is an expert at spotting young talent I know its splitting hairs; but Wenger wanted to see him closer, offered him a trial and didn't want to pursue him once he had. I agree with what your getting at though. He is certainly a talented wee player and Wenger saw that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billythebear1986 305 Posted December 9, 2008 Share Posted December 9, 2008 brilliant news getting on the score sheet. hopefully our midfield/strikeforce will look like this .........davis.........ferguson.....mendes .miller.............................................naismith ..............................boyd........................ ofcourse when hes been back for a few months Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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