Forrest return’s in sight
Neil Lennon is confident James Forrest can return to action this week.
The Celtic winger hasn’t played since he suffered a serious ankle injury in a Europa League qualifier in September.
But he is back in training and while today’s clash with St Johnstone has come too soon for him, Hoops boss Lenny hopes to include the 29-year- old Scotland star against Aberdeen at Parkhead on Wednesday night.
He said: “He’s had another week and he has to do some straight line running, so he’ll not make this weekend but we’ll assess him for Aberdeen.”
There could be more good news for Lennon on the injury front, with stopper Stephen Welsh in line to face Saints just five days after being carried off with an ankle injury in the 4- 0 win over St Mirren.
The Scotland Under-21 star was being assessed yesterday and Lennon said: “He’s having a fitness test so he’s coming to train with the guys. We’ll assess him.”
There should also be a place in the squad for midfielder Ismaila Soro, who was involved in a car crash on Tuesday.
Lennon admits the 22year-old had a lucky escape.
He said: “He is OK now and should be fit to play.
“He went down a hill, hit black ice and has hit a bus stop sign. He is fortunate in many ways.”
Lennon expects a testing afternoon in Perth and praised the Betfred Cup finalists for their progress under Callum Davidson.
He said: “It’s a big feather in the cap for Callum to get to the final. I’m expecting another very tough game.”
against Tommy Wright’s men, which sent them 21 points clear of Celtic at the top of the table.
Ryan Jack’s wonder strike leaves Gerrard’s side just four wins away from the title but now the Gers boss has switched his attention to their Europa League clash against Belgian cracks Antwerp.
Gerrard said: “It’s a really exciting time for us to have a chance of the last 16 in Europe.
“It will be tough but we’re ready. We’ll give everything we’ve got to try to set ourselves up for the second leg here.
“The players should embrace what’s in front of them. If they do, they have a wonderful chance to turn this season into a real success.
“We’re going to attack every game that’s in front of us. We want to commit to every tie because we have the numbers and the quality in the squad to do it.
“My focus hasn’t been too much on Antwerp until now. I’ve watched a few games but I’ll be watching an awful lot more now. They’ve had a managerial change since the draw but are f lying high. They’re second in a strong league for a reason.
“My respect is there for them but we want to give it everything we’ve got to get into the last 16.
“Our ful l focus switches to the Europa League now. I want the boys to be excited, I want them to bounce over to Belgium and be confident that they can give of their best.”
After last weekend’s slip at Hamilton, the Gers boss was pleased to get back to winning ways against Killie, thanks to Jack ’ s first-half strike.
They’ve won all 14 Premiership games at Ibrox this term and conceded just one goal.
Jack’s sidekick in Rangers’ engine room, Steven Davis, was also superb against Killie and Gerrard hopes he’ll stay at Ibrox beyond the summer when his contract expires.
He said: “I hope when I sit down to have a one-to-one with him he’s enthusiastic to carry on.
“I think he still has loads to offer.
“We’re lucky to have Steven and he was outstanding again. He’s pushing himself into the running for Player of the Year, for me.
“When we get the right opportunity we’ll sit down and I’ ll be respectful to where he sees his career.
“I see no signs that he’s ready to call it a day and my advice to him would be to play as long as you can.”
Rangers were well worthy of their win over Killie but they should have scored more goals.
Joe Aribo and Cedric Itten passed up good chances in the second half to kill the game off.
Gerrard said: “The performance merited a bigger win. We had opportunities to go and get a second and third.
“That last bit of our play was missing so we need to improve that.
“There was certainly a reaction to last week at Hami lton. We bounced back today with a strong win even if the scoreline doesn’t suggest it.”
Motherwell chief Alan Burrows has pleaded with the SFA not to bin this year’s Scottish Cup.
With the teams outwith the top two tiers stuck in limbo there are fears this year’s
Ewing Grahame
showpiece cup competition will not be played.
But Burrows (right)