Rangers allow Madjid Bougherra to miss semi-final after Africa trip

WALTER Smith has confirmed Madjid Bougherra has been given permission to miss Rangers' Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final against St Johnstone.

Algeria defender Bougherra has been allowed a few days off to recover from his African Nations Cup exertions and will return to Murray Park on Thursday ahead of this weekend's Active Nation Scottish Cup tie at St Mirren.

Smith said: "Madjid won't play this midweek. It's always asking a bit much of any player who has been away for the length of time he has been to come straight back in. He has been over in Angola playing in the tournament there so he'll return here for training later in the week then be available for the weekend."

Kenny Miller, meanwhile, has been given an outside chance of featuring against Saints at Hampden tomorrow night – and Smith has stressed there is no long-term concern over his hamstring injury. Scotland striker Miller has been plagued by what had appeared to be the same problem for a number of months. But the Ibrox manager insists that is not the case and the issue is only flaring up now because of the intense match schedule Rangers are currently involved in.

Smith added: "There's a slight chance we could have Kenny back for the St Johnstone match. We brought him back last Wednesday at St Mirren in the league and it wasn't the right time for him, so we'll make sure he is okay before he plays again. It might be that our next game comes too early for him. It's not the same problem that keeps coming back for Kenny and it's actually a bit different from the one he had before.

"The run of games we've had every Wednesday and Saturday hasn't helped him, especially as he's an explosive sort of player. His hamstring is tightening up just now because of a hip problem he has. But once we get back to having one game a week, it should settle down."

Meanwhile, Rangers have let 22-year-old striker Steven Lennon join Lincoln on loan for the rest of the season and 21-year-old midfielder Paul Emslie move to Peterhead until May. Lennon, who has made three SPL substitute appearances, came through the ranks at Murray Park and spent a spell at Partick Thistle last season. But he has struggled to break into Smith's plans and could earn a permanent move if he can impress in Lincolnshire.

Emslie, who is out of contract in the summer, has managed only one first-team appearance.