Rangers’ defender Weir out of Fiorentina match

Rangers defender David Weir has been ruled out by manager Walter Smith of Thursday's UEFA Cup semi-final second leg away to Fiorentina.

Centre-back Weir sustained a groin injury during Sunday's Glasgow derby defeat against Celtic and now Christian Dailly is expected to take the 37-year-old's place alongside Carlos Cuellar at the heart of Rangers' defence.

Weir was a member of the side that held the Italians to a goalless draw in last week's first leg at Ibrox but Smith is now resigned to being without the Scotland international for the return match in Florence.

“Davie won't make Thursday night, which is a blow considering how important a player he is for us,” Smith told the Glasgow Evening Times.

But the former Scotland manager refused to give up hope of Weir playing in Sunday's Premier League match against Hibernian.

Midfielder Steven Davis will travel to Florence with the rest of the squad on Wednesday despite sustaining a groin muscle problem against Celtic.

Sunday's 3-2 defeat at Parkhead left second-placed Rangers three points behind leaders Celtic but with three games in hand.

Victory over Fiorentina would see Rangers into their first major European final since they won the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1972.