Maurice Edu's attempt to convince Rangers supporters that he can be the silver lining from the cloud that appears to have ended Barry Ferguson's career at the club begins in earnest tonight.

Ferguson's two-week suspension from Ibrox has not only sparked debate over the former captain's very future in light blue, it has created a basic central midfield void that the manager, Walter Smith, must fill.

Lee McCulloch stepped into that role for Sunday's defeat of Falkirk - Edu, in truth, may have played but for a delay in returning from international duty in the United States - but, having incurred a calf injury, will not face St Mirren in Paisley this evening. Enter Edu, who arrived in a £2.5million deal from Toronto FC, the Major League Soccer side, last August but has found first-team chances limited in the meantime.

“The whole year has been in and out,” the Californian said yesterday. “I have watched a lot of games and played in others here and there. I have patiently been waiting and now the chance is here for me to come into the team. I'd be silly to sit here and say I was happy not to be playing, every player wants to play but it has been a good learning experience for me.

“I don't think it's make or break time but it is a great opportunity for me to come in and show myself while helping the team out.”

Three points behind Celtic, who host Falkirk in the Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League tonight, Edu insists re-claiming the championship is uppermost in his thoughts as opposed to his filling of Ferguson's shoes.

“I feel like you should strive to do your best in every game, tomorrow is the same thing,” he said. “But I don't think that's the most important thing - the most important thing is to get the win. It is a crucial part of the season and we need points.”

The suspensions dished out to Ferguson and Allan McGregor, the goalkeeper, aside, Smith is aware his squad will be severely stretched in the closing weeks of the season. Kyle Lafferty and Kenny Miller are injured while Kirk Broadfoot has also joined McCulloch on the treatment table having damaged a foot.

“When an opportunity comes along, the boys must take it,” the manager said. “Quite a number have been unhappy at not getting opportunities at times during the season. If that is the case, they now have to show what they can do. I do think it takes a bit of time for boys to settle in, but Maurice is ready now.”

The irony of events in the past week is not lost on the likeable Edu. Severe weather was responsible for his protracted return to Glasgow from Nashville, where the United States had defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 in a World Cup qualifier; a storm of a different kind, meanwhile, was emerging with his two club mates in its eye.

“I heard little bits here and there and saw things on the internet,” Edu said of the drink and gesture scandal. “I briefly knew what was going on without going into details. It was surprising. But they are both good players for us; now there is an opportunity for other guys to come in and try to help the team out.”

Smith refused to divulge whether even tentative approaches had been received from other clubs for Ferguson and McGregor, who are expected to depart Ibrox at the end of the season. Rather, the manager pointed to the potential danger of St Mirren, who are battling to avoid relegation. “The bottom of the league has been fairly clear-cut in the last couple of seasons, but it's tight now and these games are increasingly difficult,” he said.