Rangers' Graham Dorrans out for three months after ankle surgery

Rangers' challenge in the Scottish Premiership has suffered a setback after midfielder Graham Dorrans was ruled out for three months.

The former West Brom and Norwich player will be sidelined well into 2018 after having ankle surgery.

Dorrans has been out for more than a month with the issue and caretaker manager Graeme Murty admits his prolonged absence could change the club's transfer plans.

He said: "We initially went down a conservative route with his ankle on medical advice.

"Unfortunately that didn't bear fruit as we hoped it would and he's undergone a surgical procedure that will leave us without him for an extended period.

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"We're hopeful it's not too long but we'll get a better steer on it when he comes back up (from London) and we get some more details from the surgeon.

"It's a sore one for him because he was really hoping the first course of treatment would get him back. That hasn't turned out to be the case.

"I have to manage my frustration because the player is really upset. We have to take care of him first as a person and then we'll make sure the player gets back to the right level.

"It may do [change Rangers' transfer plans] because we were hoping for him to be back and we are a little bit light in that area.

"Those conversations will be ongoing and this may change the tone of those conversations."

Kenny Miller is another injury concern for Rangers, who are at home to St Johnstone in the Premiership this weekend.

The veteran forward will miss the game and is thought to be a doubt for the Old Firm derby with Celtic in two weeks.

Rangers' fortunes have improved in recent weeks and, sitting second in the table, they are looking for a fifth consecutive win this weekend.

As he seeks to keep the Rangers' good run going, Murty has been taking tips from a familiar face.

He added: "I speak to Walter Smith and he was actually in the academy office the other day as his grandsons were here.

"We were having a chat and to be perfectly honest, sitting and listening to the maestro talking for an hour isn't long enough.

"You could listen to him all day because of the depth of his knowledge and depth of his feeling for the club. It's always an honour and a privilege to listen to someone like that.

"We haven't always hit the heights that we'd like but winning four games is a good start, a nice step, but it's no more than that.

"You certainly won't hear the players showing any satisfaction but more a determination to extend a good points haul. We've put a marker down but that's it.

"Four games in this club's history isn't a great deal - what we have to do is make sure we reach the right levels of performance and we will pick up points from that."

Rangers will not have to worry about Michael O'Halloran when they host St Johnstone as he is barred from facing his parent club.

The on-loan winger was previously told he had no future at Ibrox by Pedro Caixinha but Murty says he would "add something to the squad" if he was to return in January.

"We've talked about all the players out on loan and we're looking at all options to help the squad. Some might come back but it's still being discussed," Murty said.

"We know Michael well. He's an established Premiership performer, so if he was to come back he'd add something to the squad. But we need to assess all our options carefully and make the best decision for the club."

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