By Stewart Fisher

RANGERS front man Steven Naismith insists he is ready to play a surprise role in Saturday's Old Firm showdown - after impressing during a 90-minute run out for Scotland in last night's B international against Northern Ireland.

The 22-year-old has started just one league match all season long as he makes his way back from a knee ligament injury sustained this time last year.

In recent weeks he has struggled even to make the bench, but Naismith issued a timely reminder of his abilities as George Burley's second string recorded a morale-boosting 3-0 win over their Northern Irish counterparts.

With Kenny Miller and Andrius Velicka vying for the job of partnering Kris Boyd up front, and the re-emergence of Steven Smith on the left of midfield, the decision to allow Naismith to take part for Scotland B alone suggests he will not be heavily involved at Ibrox on Saturday lunchtime.

Manager Walter Smith, however, has been known to spring a surprise in these games in the past, and Naismith isn't giving up just yet.

"I have not been stripped in the last few games so it obviously it might not look the best for me," he said.

"But I feel sharp enough that if I am called upon then I will be ready. I haven't played much for Rangers recently so I don't think there was much debate as to whether I should pull out of the match. I think it benefited everybody that I got 90 minutes."

The SFA have fielded no shortage of criticism for the timing of this fixture, but Naismith has more reason than most to regard this as a worthwhile exercise.

In addition to his first-team issues at club level, two years have passed now since his one and only full international appearance against the Faroe Islands, and he is now too old to feature for Billy Stark's Under-21 side.

"A lot has been said about the game but from my point of view it was just great to keep my foot in the door with Scotland, and show the international manager what I can do," Naismith said.

"It has been a frustrating season for me. The doctors said I would be out for about a year, and I came back in seven months, but missing pre-season has been a big setback. All I can do is keep working hard, and make sure I am right for when I start pre-season."

Playing in his favoured position just off the front, Naismith was a threat throughout last night, although it was another Rangers misfit who made it onto the score sheet.

Andy Webster - who has made just one appearance in a Rangers jersey in his two-and-a-half years at the club - opened the scoring, with fine further goals added by Peterborough new boy George Boyd and Livingston's Leigh Griffiths.

"I was delighted to see the big man scoring the first goal, that was great for him," Naismith said.

"He is another who has been playing in the reserves recently and he has been looking in the best shape he has been in since I have been at Rangers.

"I am sure over the rest of this season and definitely next season he will be pushing for a start."