04 April 2011 Ness is ready to face up to Saints

Jamie Ness today told Rangers gaffer Walter Smith he is ready to be pitched into action in the tricky showdown with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park tomorrow night.

The Gers desperately need to win the game in Perth – which will, for the first time in SPL history, kick off at 6pm – after losing to Dundee United at Ibrox on Saturday.

Despite twice holding the lead, Smith’s side crashed to a 3-2 defeat to United to fall behind Old Firm rivals Celtic in the SPL title race.

The defending champions have now played the same number of games as Neil Lennon’s team, whose match with Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday was postponed, and have two less points.

The return of Ness, who has been out since injuring a groin in the warm-up before a Europa League match with Sporting Lisbon in January, would undoubtedly boost Rangers.

The Scotland Under-21 central midfielder was outstanding after breaking into the Light Blues first team earlier this season and netted a wonder goal in a 2-2 draw with the Hoops in February.

Smith had hoped to give Ness, who returned to the first team squad for the first time in over two months at the weekend, an appearance as a substitute towards the end of the United game.

But the 20-year-old has revealed he is itching to play again and is keen to get involved in the clash with Derek McInnes’s side.

He said: “I am glad to be back now and hopefully I can play a part in the push for the title. I have felt sharp in training and am looking to get involved in the games now. I haven’t been able to get any games since returning to full training, but if I am thrown straight back in I will be delighted. I’m not sure if it will happen, but you never know.

“We have St Johnstone tomorrow night and then Hamilton on Saturday. We have a lot of games in a short space of time. Hopefully, I will be able to get involved.

“I have been doing a lot of stretching and flexibility work and I will be able slot back into the team.”