STEVEN SMITH became Rangers' first choice left-back in early 2006 but has struggled in recent times with on-going groin problems.

The young Scottish left-back was included in the travelling party for the pre-season training trip to Germany before the 2003/04 season and his career really looked set to take off.

However, he missed the majority of that campaign through injury and at one stage feared he may never play again.

Thankfully, the defender proved his fitness and was finally thrust into top team action against Hearts on November 28, 2004.

Stevie replaced Mo Ross at half-time and played his part in a fine 3-2 victory, a result that propelled the Light Blues to top spot in the SPL for the first time since October 2003.

He was handed his first SPL start in the 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle the following week as his career went from strength to strength.

In 2005/06, the defender made 24 appearances for the first team and, by the end of the campaign, had cemented his place in the starting eleven and won the club's Young Player of the Year award.

His battling displays earned him rave reviews and he looked to have a very bright future at the club.

He scored his first senior goal in a 2-0 win over Dunfermline in November 2006 but was forced to sit out the rest of the season following the Old Firm game in December 2006.

Remarkably it would be almost two and a half years later before Smith would turn out again for the first team at Ibrox.

Out of the top team picture entirely for 16 months, the full back returned for two cup games in April of 2008, but had to wait a further year before forcing his way back in to SPL action.

28 months after that Old Firm match he appeared on the left side of midfield against Motherwell in the SPL and played an important role in the title run in of 2008/09 as Rangers clinched the double.