Walter Smith says Kevin Thomson's injury could not have come at a worse time, as the midfielder was producing some of the best form of his career.

Thomson has been ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring knee ligaments against Kilmarnock on Sunday.

"It's a blow to the team, but a huge blow to Kevin, as he was playing at the level I would expect him to play at," said the Rangers manager.

"It's a big disappointment for everyone that this has happened."

Initial scans on Thomson's left knee revealed ligament damage following an accidental collision with David Fernandez in the 4-0 win at Rugby Park.

The player, 24, was due to visit a specialist in London on Wednesday, but medical staff say he faces an eight-month recovery period.

It is not the first time Thomson has faced spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Kevin is a different type of player to the other midfielders we have Rangers manager Walter Smith

He was out for 11 months recovering from a knee injury he received as a teenager with Hibernian in May 2004.

"Having experienced the same injury a few years ago, it's obviously a blow to him as much as to ourselves," said Smith.

"I think the biggest frustration for Kevin will be the fact that he has had his settling-in period at Rangers."

However, his manager says Thomson is upbeat despite the prospect of a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

"He is okay, the experience of having already had the injury might help him get over the disappointment," added Smith.

"But I think it will take a few weeks before he gets over it."

Thomson's loss has coincided with captain Barry Ferguson's return after ankle surgery.

"That happens and I suppose that's football in many ways," said Smith.

"We are now getting Barry back, which is a plus for us. But it is a big loss for us that Kevin is missing out.

"The most disappointing thing at the moment is losing Kevin, who is a different type of player from the other midfield players that we have."

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