Ness debut gives Smith satisfaction

Rangers manager Walter Smith was delighted to be able to hand Jamie Ness his first-team debut at Fir Park after a difficult spell for the teenager.

The 19-year-old played the last 17 minutes of Rangers' 4-1 SPL victory over Motherwell on Boxing Day, putting in a composed performance in midfield.

Smith had hoped to give Ness his competitive debut before Sunday but a string of injuries held back his progress.

But the Rangers boss was glad to finally include Ness after handing his fellow Murray Park graduates Kyle Hutton, Gregg Wylde, Darren Cole, Rory Loy and Jordan McMillan their debuts already this season.

Smith, who takes his team to St Johnstone tomorrow, said: "Jamie's finally back to full fitness again after a difficult period and that's really good news for us.

"It has been an awkward spell for him and that's at least a couple of seasons now where he has never really had any consistency of play.

"He has even been held back in training because he has been getting numerous injuries. That happens to younger players and it has happened to him.

"But he has now shown a steadiness in his training, he has stayed injury free and he has been excellent for us."