Naismith out for rest of the season

Steven Naismith is out for the rest of the season (GETTY IMAGES)

Rangers and Scotland striker Steven Naismith has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee against Aberdeen on Saturday.

"He will, sadly, miss the rest of the season," Rangers said yesterday. "Steven will be seen by the same surgeon who successfully treated him in 2008 and his rehabilitation programme will be eight to nine months."

Naismith is the top scorer in the Scottish Premier League this season with nine goals, his strikes helping the Glasgow club open up a nine-point lead at the top after only 13 games.