Rangers lose Naismith for year

Rangers FC manager Walter Smith will have to plan for next season without forward Steven Naismith, who has been ruled out for the entire campaign following cruciate ligament surgery.

Burke surgery 
Naismith, 21, went under the knife on Monday to repair damage to his left knee sustained in last month's Scottish Cup semi-final win over Saint Johnstone FC. Rangers' website said the Scottish international "is looking at 12 months out" while team-mate Chris Burke will be absent for "four to six months" after undergoing an ankle operation on the same day. Winger Burke, 24, also suffered the injury to his right ankle in the match against St Johnstone and, like Naismith, sat out last week's UEFA Cup final. According to the medical team performing the procedures, both were considered a success.