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Thu, Mar

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Rangers defender Marvin Andrews insists he has no fears about playing on with cruciate knee ligament damage.


The 29-year-old maintains he has no intention of going under the knife to cure the problem, despite the advice of Ibrox medics who say he needs an operation.

The devout Christian insists he would rely on his faith to heal the injury, and even manager Alex McLeish is finding it difficult to argue with the big defender.

Andrews sustained the injury in the Bank of Scotland Premier League game against Dundee in March and defiantly played 45 minutes of a reserve game before a short spell on the sidelines wearing a leg brace.

He managed a miraculous comeback against Celtic for the final Old Firm game of the season and looked comfortable enough in the heart of defence to hold onto his place for the weekend win over Aberdeen.

McLeish has admitted his player might even go through the rest of his career without the operation, which Andrews is more than happy to go along with.

Andrews said: "I respect the medical people at Murray Park but I don't want to have the operation.

"I know it's hard for people to understand but God has given me strength and I am not concerned.

"I have my beliefs, God is in control of my life and I believe my knee will be fine.

"I don't feel any pain and there have been no problems. I appreciate the doctors and specialists want to help.

"I respect that but I put my faith in a higher power.

"However, I am so thankful and grateful to all the people who have supported me during this time."

However, his decision to play on could soon see him caught in the middle of a club-versus-country row.

His recent outings for Rangers have not gone unnoticed by new Trinidad & Tobago boss Leo Beenhakker, who has already said he would quiz first team coach Jan Wouters about Andrews' fitness.

Trinidad & Tobago have crucial World Cup qualifiers in June followed by the Gold Cup in the United States, and Andrews is happy for his respective managers to reach a solution.

He told the Rangers News: "I want to be back training with Rangers in pre-season but it is out of my hands.

"The decision will be taken by the two managers. I am sure they will discuss it.

"My desire is to play as many games as possible but you can't be in two places at once.

"I have not spoken to Leo Beenhakker yet but Jan Wouters has told me he is a nice man and I always enjoy playing for my country."