Rangers boss Walter Smith has assured Barry Ferguson of a return to his midfield berth once fit. "He's the captain of the team and, when he comes back, he will play. It's as simple as that.

"He had a terrific season for us last season. It will just be a matter of getting up to a match level when he comes back and, when he gets himself to that level again, he will come back into the team.

"The thing that we have this season, that we didn't have last season, is a capability now to take the overall onus off him a little bit.

"There was a great deal of onus placed upon him and it was maybe a little bit unfair. We will be delighted to have him back despite the problems that may give us team selection-wise.

"He has been a big part of what Rangers have been over the last year or so that I've been back.

"He will come into the team and then it's up to him, like any other player, to stay in the team - we owe him that from last season."