Saturday's Scottish Cup final win over Queen of the South was Rangers 68th game of the season and Ferguson played through many of them carrying various knocks in addition to his on-going ankle problem.

But Smith insists a well-earned rest during the close season should be enough to see his captain fit and ready for the new campaign.

He told Sky Sports: "It has been more niggly things than anything else. I think the rest will help him.

"He's going to see the specialist in the early part of next week about his ankle but we are confident that there is no surgery required.

"A bit of rest and recuperation will do him the world of good."