WALTER SMITH today revealed Rangers will welcome back Sasa Papac and Madjid Bougherra for tomorrow's tightrope trip to Tynecastle.

However, the Ibrox giants will continue to miss striker Kenny Miller with his hamstring trouble still not having cleared up.

Northern Ireland skipper Steve Davis also misses after being given leave of absence on compassionate grounds following the death of his mother.

Smith confirmed: "We are pleased to have Sasa and Madjid back in for the trip to Hearts which is a big boost.

"As for Kenny, he will be out for another week although we are hopeful he will be fit for next weekend's visit of Hamilton."

Bougherra's return comes as David Weir gave stand-in centre-back Lee McCulloch a vote of confidence.

Veteran Weir has teamed up with big Lee during Madjid Bougherra's enforced absence with a calf injury.

The duo gelled as Rangers have cruised to back-to-back victories over St Mirren and Aberdeen with McCulloch impressing in the process.

And with tomorrow's trip to Tynecastle to face third-placed Hearts next on the agenda for Gers, Weir has no doubt that McCulloch will be more than capable of playing another key role if required.

Weir said: "Lee has done really well since he has come into defence and, to be fair, he has all the attributes to do so.

"He is strong in the air and is a good passer of the ball and with every game he gets in the position, I am sure he will feel more comfortable and continue to grow into it.

"I think it is a great thing for Rangers that we have players like Lee who can play in a variety of positions. As the injury with Madjid has shown, you never know when you are going to struggle with injuries and it is vital that you have that element of versatility in the squad to help provide cover if required.

"But we have formed quite a good understanding in the two games we have played together and Lee has shown that he is the type of guy who has good concentration and reads the game well and these are all key qualities in the role."

He told Rangers TV: "I have many happy memories from my time at Hearts but Tynecastle is always a tough place to go and it is up to us to make sure we are up to the challenge."