Ferguson returned to action in the reserve game at Love Street

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has played his first competitive football in nearly four months.

The 30-year-old midfielder played for an hour during Tuesday's reserve game against St Mirren at Love Street.

Ferguson, who is unlikely to feature in this weekend's SPL fixture with Hamilton, has been recovering from ankle surgery.

"I've been back training now for three weeks so I was happy to get 60 minutes under my belt," said Ferguson.

"It felt good, there were no problems. I've had no problems since I started back my running. I felt good and will hopefully get another game next week.

"My ankle is as strong as it can be now and I've done a lot of strengthening work in the gym. I've already said that I would be back stronger than ever.

"Things are always at the back of your mind when you get an operation but I went to see the best surgeon around and he reassured me that when I got the operation, I would be back fine.

The gaffer said I would need two or three games and hopefully I'll get another reserve game next week Rangers captain Barry Ferguson

"True to his word, I've had no problems at all. The rehab has gone the way we wanted it to and I've been back for three weeks and now I've got my first game under my belt."

Rangers could have Ferguson back in their first team squad when Inverness CT visit Ibrox on 1 November.

"You never know but the gaffer said yesterday that I would need two or three games and hopefully I'll get another reserve game next week," he added.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Are Rangers fans happy to see Barry Ferguson close to a first-team return?

"I've done all the running I can do but match fitness is a totally different thing and I think I'll need two or three games before I'm up to scratch."

Meanwhile, Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith says it will be a boost for Scotland to welcome back their fit-again captain.

"There's good competition for places but Barry's the captain and you'd expect he'll start so there's no question that it'll be good to have him available again," he said.

Ferguson could feature in Scotland's friendly with Argentina at Hampden on 19 November, Smith added.

The reserve match in Paisley also afforded Chris Burke, Lee McCulloch and Steven Smith the chance to continue their respective comebacks from long-term injury, with McCulloch and Burke scoring in the 3-0 win.

Christian Dailly and Maurice Edu also featured as assistant manager Ally McCoist watched on from the sidelines.