Rangers travel with wounded Weir

12 April 2012

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist insists David Weir remains "extremely doubtful" for Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against Fiorentina.

Weir, 37, sustained a groin strain in Sunday's Old Firm defeat to Celtic and was initially given no chance of facing the Italians in Florence, but Weir checked in at Glasgow Airport with his team-mates on Wednesday morning and McCoist acknowledged there was a slim chance the veteran could make a dramatic recovery.

"He's still feeling his groin so he is extremely doubtful," said McCoist. "I've not spoken to the medical staff but he has to be a doubt."

McCoist knows Rangers could be without two of this season's key men, central defender Weir and goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who is definitively ruled out of the European clash with his ankle injury.

If Weir misses out, Christian Dailly would be the most likely partner at the back for Carlos Cuellar.

"It goes without saying that the mainstays of the team have been the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs," said McCoist. "They have had a great season so it would be a fantastic boost if Davie was fit, but that remains to be seen. He's a big doubt and there's no magic wand."

Charlie Adam, Chris Burke and Lee McCulloch were also on the trip to Italy, but McCoist stressed the injured players were only travelling for the experience.

"We're taking a few of the boys over, but don't be fooled, they won't be involved," said McCoist.

Midfielder Steven Davis is firmly in Rangers' plans though, despite the groin injury he suffered against Celtic.

McCoist said: "He definitely has a chance. The groin was a little bit tight at half-time at Celtic Park. It seems fine (on Wednesday morning)."

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