RANGERS' captain Richard

Gough, the outstanding outfield player at Ibrox this season, may miss

the Champions' League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

The central defender took a kick on the shin in the 1-0 defeat from

Hibs at the weekend and spent Saturday night in hospital because of

internal bleeding in the leg.

Manager Walter Smith explained yesterday: ''Richard spent the night in

hospital mainly as a precaution. The doctor wanted him to keep his leg

raised because of the internal bleeding.

''He went back home this morning and is OK, but he remains very

doubtful for the game. It will be a last minute decision because the leg

is still very painful.''

Left back David Robertson is another player who will face a late

fitness test on the hamstring he damaged in the Old Firm game. Central

defender Alan McLaren and midfielder Stuart McCall are both already

ruled out.

The only good news Smith could provide yesterday was that Charlie

Miller, injured against Hibs, and Ian Ferguson, who has been out since

the start of the season, will be ready.

Said Smith: ''Charlie has an ankle knock, but he will be OK and, while

I left Ian Ferguson out of the Hibs' game, he is fit.''

Smith saw the opposition defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 4-3 on Friday

night. That was the second time in under a week they had lost three

goals. In their other game they won 6--3.

Says Smith: ''German football, as you would imagine from these score

lines is very open. Borussia look very good going forward. From midddle

to front they have exceptional players and Matthias Sammer and Andy

Moeller are magnificent.

''What we don't know yet is how they will approach an away game in the

Champions' League and how much they will adjust defensively, if at

all.''

Smith maintains that he will not be rushing into the transfer market

after the sale of Mark Hateley to Queens Park Rangers for close to #1.5m

is completed in London today.