Beattie eyes Rangers starting role

James Beattie is hoping to put his injury nightmare behind him and force his way into the Rangers team to face Motherwell in their Scottish Premier League clash at Ibrox on Saturday.

The striker became Rangers’ first signing in two years when he arrived from Stoke City in the summer.

Despite not having played more than 10 minutes of a competitive match since early January after being frozen out at Stoke, Beattie started the Ibrox side’s first four games of the season.

But a thigh injury has ruled him out of the last six games and the former England international has had to watch from the sidelines as another new player, Nikica Jelavic, formed a lethal partnership up front with Kenny Miller.

However, with Jelavic sidelined for three months due to an ankle injury, Beattie aims to take advantage of his return to fitness and cement a place in Walter Smith’s team.

“I wouldn’t say it has been frustrating for me since I came here because my first four games went all right,” Beattie said.

“I hadn’t played a competitive since December but the team was winning and I was happy to start my first match.

“From that point, I’ve not been injured for that long but I’ve missed six games because of the schedule we’ve had.

“Jelavic came in and did really well and then got injured against Hearts, which is very unfortunate for him, although personally it’s a chance to get back in again.

“Hopefully I’ll be available for the match at the weekend as I’m looking to establish myself.”

If Beattie fails to prove his fitness Kyle Lafferty is likely to partner Miller up front.

Miller has had a prolific start to the season, netting ten times, and the striker hopes his run continues against a Motherwell side who currently sit in third place.

“As a striker you always want more,” the Scotland international said.

“It’s been a good start to the season for me in terms of goal-scoring and I hope that can continue.”

Midfielder Lee McCulloch will miss out through injury picked up on internationald duty.

A win against Motherwell could put the pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic, who are not in action away to Dundee United until Sunday.

Neil Lennon’s side have been dealt a blow with the news they will be without captain Scott Brown for the next 10 weeks due to a stress fracture in his foot.

The midfielder joins Israeli international Beram Kayal on the sidelines for the trip to Tannadice.

Elsewhere on Saturday, caretaker manager Alastair Stevenson takes charge of Hibernian for the first time following the departure of John Hughes when Kilmarnock visit Easter Road.

St Mirren take on Hamilton in a basement battle. The Buddies, who are bottom of the SPL, have lost the past four games, but could leapfrog Hamilton with a win.

Aberdeen hope to get their season back on track when they host Hearts at Pittodrie. The Dons haven’t won since the second game of the season, while the Jambos sit just a point above them after losing their past two games.

Fixtures

Saturday (1400GMT unless otherwise stated):

Aberdeen v Hearts, Hibernian v Kilmarnock, Inverness Caledonian Thistle v St Johnstone, Rangers v Motherwell, St Mirren v Hamilton

Sunday (1145GMT):

Dundee United v Celtic