Gascoigne back to lift hearts

The Rangers midfielder, Stuart McCall, is out of Tuesday's Coca- Cola Cup semi-final with Aberdeen at Hampden Park and is doubtful for the Champions' League return with Juventus on 1 November, after picking up a rib injury during this week's 4-1 defeat in Turin.

"Stuart will be out for between 10 days and a fortnight," Walter Smith said, but the Ibrox manager will pitch Paul Gascoigne back into action against Hearts at Ibrox today as Rangers seek to ease the pain of their Italian defeat.

Gascoigne has missed three games with a thigh injury picked up after he scored League goals against Celtic and Motherwell.

"He was really starting to show the form he is capable of and influencing the team the way I hope he will when he got the injury," Smith said.

However, Brian Laudrup, Charlie Miller, Ian Ferguson and Trevor Steven will not feature yet, although Alan McLaren is available after his European suspension. Miller, who has shin splints, and Ferguson will restart training next week while Steven is still 10 days away.

Hearts have not won at Ibrox since November 1987, when Ray Wilkins made his debut for Rangers in a 3-2 defeat.

Jim Jefferies, the Tynecastle manager, is without the suspended Gary Mackay and the injured Willie Jamieson, but has vowed his side will attack. "Last week's win over Raith was a confidence boost and we have scored four goals three times this season. We have a lot of experienced players, so they should be able to cope with Ibrox."