THE Rangers captain, Craig Moore, has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The Australian defender has been plagued with problems in his right knee since last August and now, with the season
at an end in terms of possible trophy success, Moore will undergo an operation within the next few weeks.
On the day Barry Ferguson, Moore's predecessor as Rangers captain, had it confirmed that his season was over, Alex McLeish, his former manager at Ibrox, said he felt it made sense for Moore to have surgery now, in the hope he will return in time for the start of next season.
However, although Moore is a mainstay of the Ibrox side he is stalling on any contract extension until he sees how
the rebuilding process under McLeish takes shape.
McLeish yesterday confirmed the player needed an operation which would take place within the next few weeks. ''Our medical people have been liaising with the Australian team's staff and they agreed on the same course of action,'' he said. ''It means his season is over but it also means he will be clear for the start of pre-season.''
Shota Arveladze and Bob Malcolm are also carrying knee injuries and are unlikely to play again this season to allow them more time to recover.
Meanwhile, Graeme Souness, the Blackburn manager, yesterday admitted Ferguson will not play again this season. The midfielder has been in rehabilitation after sustaining a broken kneecap at Newcastle last December.
Ferguson is well on the road to recovery, but Souness is adamant the player will not return until next season.
''I was hoping we would see Barry again this season, but the injury is taking a little longer to heal than we thought. In my day, this was a career-threatening injury that put people out of the game, so there is no way we are going to risk him long term just to bring him back to help our situation,'' said Souness.
Rangers face frustration in their attempts to sign James Beattie from Southampton. The player, capped four times by England, is likely to command a fee well in excess of the (pounds) 4m quoted in tabloids this week.
The former Blackburn player is reportedly keen to leave St Mary's to boost his international hopes, but whether he would choose the SPL to further those ambitions is doubtful.
Boumsong inspired, Page 37
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