Rangers striker Kenny Miller looks set to miss tonight’s must win clash with Hibernian after pulling his hamstring in Saturdays 1-0 win over Old Firm Celtic.
The hit man played a key role for Rangers at the weekend setting up Steve Davis for the only goal of the game which put the Ibrox side within touching distance of their first league title in four years.
Rangers boss Walter Smith expressed his disappointment at the news but hopes the pacey forward will be fit for Saturdays encounter with Aberdeen.
He said: “Kenny is a doubt for tomorrow with a recurrence of his hamstring problem. I’m hopeful that if he gets a couple of days rest he’ll be okay for Saturday.
“It’s a blow because we were pleased with the way he played on Saturday and I was hoping he’d stay injury free until the end of the season when we could get it looked at again”.
Millers absence could see on form Andrius Velicka return to the starting line up. The former Hearts star has come in from the cold in recent weeks scoring five goals in six games including one the last time Rangers faced Hibs at Easter Road.
However, Smith also has options in fans favourite Nacho Novo and Northern Ireland international Kyle Lafferty.
Meanwhile, Hibs have been boosted by the return of four players following suspension. Skipper Rob Jones, Chris Hogg, Sol Bamba and Colin Nish are all available for selection.
The Edinburgh side will be looking to capitalise on last Thursday’s dramatic 1-0 victory over rivals Hearts and put pressure of Aberdeen who currently sit five points above them in the table.
Manager Mixu Paatelainen is aware that his side face an uphill battle but believes that his side has enough about them to cause Rangers problems.
He said: “Rangers are full of confidence and they know if they win their remaining matches they are champions.
“They are determined and they will make matches very difficult for their opponents, no doubt, as always. There is an extra-positive motivation for Rangers now and that makes it even harder for us and the other teams to play against them.
“But a draw is not a good result for Rangers, so the longer the game goes, if we can defend well, they will get anxious and a little bit nervous and probably start forcing their passes a little bit. In that respect they could make it a little bit easier for us.
“I don’t worry too much how Rangers players will react or feel out there, I’ve got enough to worry about how we play and keep our concentration, but hopefully we can cause them problems and they get nervous and frustrated”.
