McCulloch faces six-week lay-off
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Article summary
Rangers FC's UEFA Cup ambitions have been dealt a significant blow after the influential Lee McCulloch was ruled out for at least six weeks with an ankle injury.
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'Outside chance'
The 29-year-old Scotland international injured his right ankle in Wednesday's 2-1 Scottish Premier League defeat by Celtic FC and subsequent scans have revealed that McCulloch is likely to miss the rest of the campaign. "The docs have told me it's unlikely I'll play again this season because of the extent of the bone injury," said McCulloch. "There's an outside chance I might have a shout [of playing before the end of the season], but I'm told I will be out for a minimum of six weeks, so it doesn't look good."
Untimely news
That lay-off means McCulloch, who has missed just two of Rangers' 16 European matches this term, will be ruled out of both legs of the UEFA Cup semi-final with ACF Fiorentina as well as the final in Manchester on 14 May. It is an untimely blow for Walter Smith, as captain Barry Ferguson and fellow midfielder Kevin Thomson are already ruled out of Thursday's first leg against the Viola through suspension, while goalkeeper Allan McGregor also has an ankle injury.
