Scottish Football: Setback for Stevens

GARY STEVENS discovered yesterday that the season he has spent on the sidelines through injury is to continue for at least another month. Stevens is now suffering from a stress fracture of the knee.

The England full-back had missed only two League games in the previous three seasons, but he was ruled out for the first 24 games of the current campaign with another stress fracture - of the foot. The latest reverse will keep the 29- year-old out of action throughout the hectic festive period.

'It's terrible,' Walter Smith, the Ibrox manager, said. 'I really feel for Gary.' Rangers meet Falkirk at Brockville Park today without the suspended Ian Ferguson, while Trevor Steven is doubtful with a calf injury. Richard Gough, another long-term absentee, plays for the reserves.