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Page last updated at 18:50 GMT, Saturday, 1 August 2009 19:50 UK

Smith not drawn on keeper choice

Neil Alexander and Allan McGregor train
Neil Alexander is vying with Allan McGregor for the number one jersey

Rangers boss Walter Smith has refused to be drawn on who will be his number one choice for the goalkeeper's jersey.

Neil Alexander was chosen ahead of Allan McGregor as Rangers beat Paris St Germain 1-0 in the Emirates Cup.

But, when asked if this indicated that Alexander would retain his place in the forthcoming campaign, Smith said: "Allan McGregor will play tomorrow."

And the Ibrox boss added: "He has played the second half of every game, so you can read into it what you like."

The experienced Rangers manager wasn't for getting carried away by the slender victory over the French side.

Kevin Thomson's on target for coming back and hopefully we'll have him available for a full 90 minutes towards the end of August

Rangers manager Walter Smith

"It was a good 90 minutes for us considering it was only our third game," he said.

"We were pleased with the way the game went. We had some good possession of the ball throughout the match.

"PSG had the best chances. But, with a bit of extra sharpness in the last third, we might have created more.

"But I'm pleased with the game overall, delighted with the way our pre-season is progressing.

"We look at it as a step forward towards the season."

Rangers will play Arsenal on Sunday after the hosts beat Atletico Madrid 2-1.

"We'll not make that many changes tomorrow," said Smith. "Some of the boys will have the two games. Defensively, we've not got a lot of extra players anyway."

Further up the pitch, Rangers gave midfielder Kevin Thomson another run-out, this time for half an hour, as he eases his way back to full fitness from cruciate ligament surgery.

"He's back and ready to go," said Smith. "We have to take a bit of care with him.

"He's on target for coming back and hopefully we'll have him available for a full 90 minutes towards the end of August."



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see also
Ibrox boss backs summer kick-off
01 Aug 09 |  Rangers
Bosses explain Scots summer blues
01 Aug 09 |  Scottish Premier
Rangers' relief at easier summer
31 Jul 09 |  Rangers
Gers fans wait for transfer raids
14 Jul 09 |  Rangers


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