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THOMSON: I'LL FILL BARRY ROLE
Thomson - hopes to impress this season.
Kevin Thomson has vowed to fill the void left by injured Rangers captain Barry Ferguson by shouldering the extra responsibility in the heart of the midfield.
Rangers have been left reeling by the news Ferguson could be out for four months following surgery on a troublesome ankle injury.
Manager Walter Smith has only strengthened his strikeforce so far this summer, with Thursday's Champions League signing deadline looming.
With time running out to recruit more new arrivals ahead of next week's qualifier against FBK Kaunas, 23-year-old Thomson knows he could be the man under increased pressure in upcoming games.
"There is the added onus on me being a midfielder and that's the berth I'm going to have to take over," he said.
"I'm looking forward to it, it's a good challenge for me, and I'm hoping to succeed."
Welcome news for Rangers came in the return to actionon Tuesday of both Kyle Lafferty and Allan McGregor.
Recent recruit Lafferty took part in a closed-doors game against Morton at Murray Park, while McGregor made his first appearance since sustaining an ankle injury in April a few hours later in a friendly against Clyde.
Thomson added: "You want a full strength squad going into the season.
"When Allan gets back to full fitness and Kyle gets back playing, it only leaves out the skipper so we will almost be at full strength going into the season and we are looking forward to it."
While Rangers scraped a 1-0 win at Broadwood, Kaunas confirmed their place in next week's second round qualifier at Ibrox by defeating Santa Coloma 3-1 to claim an impressive 7-2 aggregate victory.
Thomson knows Rangers have no option but to perform at a high level when the Lithuanians visit Glasgow, as they attempt to take a step closer to joining Celtic in the lucrative group stages.
"We've got to be ready," Thomson admitted.
"That's why we have come in early and prepared the way we have prepared.
"We have had a week in Germany, we've played a few games, and we've got another game on Saturday.
"When the game comes around next Wednesday we will be ready. It's the exact same situation we were in last year.
"We will be looking to win the game comfortably at Ibrox and hopefully take a lead over to Kaunas."
