Rangers lose Naismith for rest of season

Rangers striker Steven Naismith has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Scans on the weekend confirmed the worst possible outcome for the Scotland international, who collapsed with no-one around him during Rangers’ 2-1 win away at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

Losing Naismith will be a huge blow for the club as the striker has been in great form this season with nine goals to his name from 11 appearances.

Naismith suffered a similar problem in his left knee in 2008 and was out for eight months.

The injury is not only a blow for Rangers but also for Scotland, with manager Craig Levein saying: “I really feel for him. He had a problem previously and missed a lot of matches with it.”

“In the past couple of years he has got himself back in the Rangers team and has ultimately become a regular in the Scotland side. It’s a real blow for him.”

“For Rangers and for the national team as well, his improvement in the past couple of years has been phenomenal.”

Rangers sit on top of the table, nine points clear of Motherwell and 12 ahead of Celtic.