Smith seeks Bougherra showdown

Walter Smith is set to hold talks with Madjid Bougherra following his latest late return to Ibrox.

The Algerian centre-half has made a habit of delaying his return from international duty this season, much to the annoyance of his domestic employers.

The Gers had been hoping to hand the former Charlton man a first run-out since September during Saturday's meeting with Kilmarnock, but they were unable to do so as Bougherra had yet to report back in Scotland.

Smith admits the ongoing situation is beginning to bother him, but insists he will give the 27-year-old ample opportunity to explain himself.

"I will probably speak to him today (Monday) at some stage," said the Rangers boss.

Concern

"It's obviously a concern, but it's happened and we just have to handle it.

"He has been injured for parts of the season and we are not the first club this has happened to and we won't be the last."

Smith has also refused to rule Bougherra out of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League fixture against Stuttgart, a game the Gers must win to keep their fragile European dreams alive.

"We have not selected the team yet, so I will sit down and do that after training," he said.

"We have one or two injury problems from our game at the weekend, Steve Naismith and Kris Boyd, but we hope they will be OK."