Naismith as good as a new boy reckons Weir on forward's comeback

DAVIE WEIR believes the return of crocked striker Steven Naismith at Rangers will be just like the Ibrox club landing a major new signing.

DAVIE WEIR believes the return of crocked striker Steven Naismith at Rangers will be just like the Ibrox club landing a major new signing.

Naismith took another step towards playing in the Gers first team last Wednesday when he came through 90 minutes of a closed-doors game with Morton at Murray Park unscathed.

The hugely skilful frontman has been out of action since suffering a serious knee injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Johnstone at Hampden last April.

And the 22-year-old is set to turn out for Walter Smith's side tonight against, ironically enough, the Saints in a fourth round cup tie up at McDiarmid Park.

His comeback will go some way towards lifting the spirits of Rangers fans who have been growing increasingly disgruntled at the goings-on at their club during the January transfer window.

The Light Blues, seemingly desperate to boost their coffers, came very close to selling top scorer Kris Boyd to Birmingham City last week for just £3.8million.

And rumours persist that the Gers are willing to offload some of their top stars - including Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor and Pedro Mendes - if the price is right.

However, Weir feels the comeback of former SFWA Young Player of the Year Naismith will give boss Smith added options up front and assist their bid to land silverware.

He said: "Steven has been out a long time, but I know he has worked really, really hard to get fit since he picked up his injury. He deserves his chance in the first team now. He merits a start.

"We have definitely missed him this season. He is a great lad to have in the squad, both for what he brings to the team on the park and what he contributes to the spirit of the squad off it.

"The sooner we get him back in the team playing, and playing to his best, the better as far as I am concerned.

"When any player returns to the fray, it creates increased competition for places. That can only be a good thing for Rangers. But, first and foremost, the lad deserves it after everything he has been through."

Rangers have been strongly linked with two players in Weir's centre-half position during the transfer window - Christophe Berra of Hearts and Swedish defender Mattias Bjarsmyr of IFK Gothenburg.

However, the 38-year-old Scotland player has revealed he would welcome the signing of either man in the weeks ahead with open arms - as he feels it would help him maintain his high standards.

Of the speculation, Weir reflected: "It is part and parcel of being at a big football club. At a club of the size and stature of Rangers you need to have good competition for places.

"If somebody new came in, I certainly wouldn't roll over and give up, I would simply try harder. You have to look at it in a positive way. Somebody coming in can help to make you a better player."

Weir helped Rangers bounce back from their disappointing Old Firm defeat against SPL leaders Celtic in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 win over Inverness Caley Thistle at the Tulloch Stadium nine days ago.

Now the veteran player wants the Ibrox club, who performed poorly on the road domestically during 2008, to follow that up with a string of victories away from home - starting in Perth tonight.

Davie said: "It is always a difficult game going to Inverness. You have to fight for every ball. They always make it very difficult for visiting teams.

"After the disappointment of the previous week, it was important we went out and put on a performance. We did that.

"There is absolutely no margin for error in the league now. But that might be a good thing for us. The fact that we realise we can't afford to drop any more points might help us focus on every game. That should be the case no matter what situation we are in. But we can't get away from it. We have to keep winning games in both the cups and the league. That is the way it has got to be."

Weir added: "There has always been a desire and a hunger within the dressing room to do well. We have dropped a few points on the road. We know we have to address that and try to change it.

"The only way we can do that is by going out putting on good displays, winning games and picking up points. Hopefully, the game against Inverness was the start of that.

"We have to go out and make things happen on the park. But we aren't going to get wins and points easily. We can take nothing for granted."