Rangers manager buoyed by Andy Webster loan form

Webster's form has seen him return to the Scotland squad

Manager Walter Smith has backed Andy Webster to play a significant role for Rangers when he returns from his season-long loan at Dundee United.

The 27-year-old has turned in a number of impressive displays at Tannadice.

And Smith told his club's website: "I have been impressed by Andy. He has been captain at Dundee United and, as a loan player, that's a real accolade.

"I like to think he can come back with the confidence he had three or four years ago."

Webster won his 23rd Scotland cap in last week's friendly win against Czech Republic - his first international appearance in four years.

The former Arbroath, Hearts and Wigan central defender has been dogged with injuries since he left Tynecastle in 2006, when he used new Fifa regulations to quit the Edinburgh club a year before his contract expired.

Rangers recruited Webster from Wigan, initially on loan, in January 2007 but a sequence of injuries limited him to just one game for the Scottish champions.

Having made 23 appearances for United, Webster's injury concerns appear to be behind him and, with David Weir turning 40 in May, there may be a vacancy in the Rangers defence.

"The reason I let him go elsewhere was because he was going through a terrible injury period here," added Smith.

"He wasn't settling down but I'm hoping the confidence he gets from going out on loan and playing can kick-start his career when he comes back to us next season."

Smith, who is working without a contract as the club seek new owners, added: "I'm not sure of what future any of us will have here but I think putting him out to United has worked well for him.

"He had a hard period here where, due to contractual situations and his transfer from Hearts to Wigan, he stalled a bit.

"He had a terrific start to his career but it hit the skids when that happened to him and he was unfortunate when he came here and played just once in two-and-a-half years.

"If my memory serves me correctly, he scored in that one against Gretna but injuries limited him a lot. I think he's over that now."