Jelavic targets Old Firm comeback

Rangers’ Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic is targeting a comeback in the crucial Old Firm clash with Celtic on January 2.

The club’s four-million-pound off-season signing from Rapid Vienna has suffered some cruel luck in his short spell at Ibrox.

The first blow came in August when Rapid beat Aston Villa in a Europa League qualifier, and as Jelavic had represented the Austrians in an earlier qualifier, he was therefore ruled out of Rangers’ Champions League campaign.

Then, on October 2, he was the victim of a crude tackle from Hearts midfielder Ian Black which left him with damage to his ankle ligaments.

After surgery to correct the problem, the 25-year-old spent a few weeks in Croatia doing exhaustive rehabilitation before returning to the club’s Murray Park training facility to continue his recovery.

Jelavic insists his goal is to be fit for the January showdown with Celtic at Ibrox, and with Rangers leading their arch-rivals by just two points at the top of the Scottish Premier League standings, his inclusion would be a welcome one for boss Walter Smith.

“My injury is getting better and better and I hope that I can be fit again in January so I will start to play,” Jelavic told Rangers’ News.

“I have only been walking with the physios recently but very soon I want to be running again and get back into serious training.”

“Normally you should not play for three months after an operation so, with this being the case, the Celtic game will probably be my target.”

“Right now I still need time but it would be nice to be back in the squad for this game – whatever happens I just want to get back playing.”

“I want to help my team-mates as quickly as possible because they helped me settle in Scotland and that has helped me so much.”

“From the first game I think I showed that I can play for Rangers and that I can score a lot of goals but I want to prove myself more and more here. This is only the beginning.”