Rangers set to reward Malcolm

UEFA Cup: Bob Malcolm returns to the Rangers midfield tonight in the knowledge a new, improved contract is being drawn up for him.

The 24-year-old has been the surprise success story of the season at Ibrox, having previously been used only in defensive emergencies. He formed a formidable partnership with another converted defender, Fernando Ricksen, in midfield while Alex Rae recovered from a torn calf muscle.

Malcolm was left out of the starting line-up for Saturday's 2-0 win over Celtic, with Rae reclaiming his place. But as the veteran has one game of his five-match European ban still to serve, Malcolm knows the arrival of Austrian champions AK Graz also heralds his own return to action.

A new deal is expected to be announced soon, tying the player to the club until the end of the 2006/'07 season. Manager Alex McLeish said: "He has perhaps surprised people with his consistency and his calmness on the pitch now."

Rangers made the perfect start to their group campaign by beating Amica Wronki 5-0 in Poland. Graz have played one game more and are top of Group F. With three of the five teams progressing from the group, victory would all but ensure Rangers' name will be in the draw for the knock-out stages.

Meanwhile, trialists Bojan Djordjic and Jukka Santala have been invited to extend their stays with the club. Midfielder Djordjic, (22), is soon to be out of contract at Manchester United while defender Santala (19) is at HJK Helsinki.

Rangers v AK Graz Ibrox, 7.45