Kevin Thomson could be fit in time for the new season after being given the all-clear by a knee specialist. The Rangers midfield player has been out of action since suffering cruciate ligament damage in November. He had been progressing well but had been told a return to the first team was unlikely before September.

However, he has now fully recovered from the injury and has been given the green light to participate fully in pre-season training. The 24-year-old is now set to take part in this month's visit to Germany, as well as the Emirates Tournament in London and friendlies against Manchester City and Portsmouth.

That means he could be pushing for a place in Walter Smith's plans when the new campaign gets under way against Falkirk on August 15. “The specialist is very happy with the way the injury has progressed,” Smith said. “It will take him a little bit of time to get his match fitness up but if we can get him a number of games over the pre-season then he will be ready, if not for the start of the season then shortly afterwards.”

Thomson was enjoying some of the best form of his career when he was injured in a 4-0 win at Kilmarnock eight months ago.

“I have said on many occasions that I felt he was starting to show great form just before he suffered the injury,” Smith said. “It always takes a bit of time for young players to settle at a new club and that was the case with Steven Whittaker, Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty.

“But they are all past that stage now and I just felt that Kevin was getting to the situation where he was beginning to influence games and hopefully when he gets back he will be able to start where he left off.”