MOLS EYES SURPRISE OLD FIRM RETURN

Mols continued his fitness regime at Ibrox on Tuesday as his teammates completed preparations for the Champions League game against Herfoelge.

He is likely to play in the SPL Under-21 League match against Dunfermline at East End Park on Thursday to gauge his recovery from double knee surgery.

The Dutch striker has not played a competitive game since shattering his knee against Bayern Munich last November, and under-went his latest operation only last month.

Rangers manager has indicated Mols' return from the career-threatening injury is imminent and has pencilled in the 29-year-old for the start of the Champions League group stages on September 13.

Both parties would desire that Mols be tested in competitive first-team action before playing in Europe, with the Old Firm match being one of only two SPL games before the opening group match.

Mols is desperate to make his Old Firm bow, having missed all four derbies in his first season at Ibrox due to the horrific ligament injury.

It is believed that neither the player nor the management has ruled out a place for Mols on the substitutes bench at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Teammate Barry Ferguson is in no doubt that the pacy striker is close to a first team return.

"It will take him a few weeks to get his sharpness back," Ferguson said. "But in the last couple of days in training, he has looked the part."

"Twisting and turning is all part of his game. He has got all that back and he also has got a lot of confidence."