Miller blow for Rangers title hopes

Rangers’ hopes of clinching their first Scottish Premier League title since 2005 suffered a setback on Wednesday when it was revealed that Kenny Miller has again succumbed to a hamstring problem.

The Scotland forward was ruled out of Wednesday evening’s trip to Hibs and manager Walter Smith could not be certain that his leading striker would be available for the clash with Aberdeen on Saturday.

“He’s had a recurrence of his hamstring problem but I’m hopeful that if he gets a couple of days’ rest he will be okay for Aberdeen on Saturday,” Smith reported.

“I was hoping Kenny might go injury-free until the end of the season, but he has been feeling the soreness again in that area, so it looks like he will miss out. It’s a nerve problem he’s got.

“He’s on medication, which is keeping him going until the end of the season, but that is not going to solve the problem.

“He will have to get it looked at in the close season and, hopefully, they can do something about it.”

The injury could not have come at a worse time for Rangers, who will reclaim the SPL title from Celtic if they win their remaining three matches.

It could also be bad news for Scotland coach George Burley. If Miller is forced to have surgery at the end of the season his involvement in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway in early August could be in doubt.