WALTER SMITH hopes to have put forward a case for the defence after signing a third stopper for Rangers.

The Ibrox manager is now responsible for bringing Andy Webster, Davie Weir and Ugo Ehiogu to the club since taking over the reins from Paul Le Guen.

It was problems at the back that ultimately cost the Frenchman his job as Rangers continually leaked soft goals, but Smith has already created competition for places and kept two clean sheets in his first two games.

The former Scotland boss also believes Karl Svensson can develop into a quality defender with more experience around him, but might have to take a back seat to Ehiogu this week.

The Middlesbrough centre-half took part in his first training session with his new team-mates after arriving in Scotland until the end of the season.

And assistant manager Ally McCoist was immediately impressed with the Englishman's attitude and suggested he could make his debut on Saturday against Hearts.

He said: "I quite enjoyed playing with him in his first training session.

"He is looking all right. He is keen - keen as mustard.

"He's what I would call one of the old school centre-halves. He will put his boot in and head the ball away, as well. So hopefully we will get big things from Ugo.

"It's a bit early to talk about team selection, but that's why he is here, he is here to play and hopefully do well.

"We've kept clean sheets in the last two games, which is very pleasing. It's an area in which we had been having problems in recent games so it has looked better.

"But I would imagine the big man will come in at some point and be involved at the weekend."

And ex-Celtic hitman Mark Viduka, who told his Middlesbrough team-mate to jump at the chance of moving to Ibrox, said Ehiogu has a lot to offer.

He said: "All I can tell you is I've played against him and beside him and I rate him highly.

"He's very strong. He's a fit lad who is excellent in the air. He strikes me as being exactly what Rangers need."

So, while Smith would have appeared to make a wise addition to his squad in Ehiogu, the two other players who have joined since Le Guen left aim to make just as big an impression.

Everton's 36-year-old defender Davie Weir was granted permission to quit the Premiership until the end of the season in search of first-team football.

Smith seized the chance to bring his experience to Gers and he made an impressive debut in the 1-0 win over Dunfermline at the weekend.

And he said: "It's a new beginning and exciting times and I'm sure the manager, Ally McCoist and Kenny McDowall will get the place organised, get the place going again and get Rangers back where they should be.

"I did not have opportunities in the Everton first team recently which was disappointing, but I've been training hard so I feel fit.

"I am not looking any further than the end of the season. If you look too far ahead you can trip over your toes.

"Now I'm looking forward to playing at Ibrox for the first time as a Gers player against Hearts."

While Webster's knee injury will prevent him from playing in the game, he is aiming to kick-start his career by making an impression at the Ibrox club.

Webster said: "I'm delighted to be here. It's obviously a blow to suffer the injury in my first training session but I hope I'm not out for too long.

"When I heard that Rangers were interested it was an easy decision to make. Rangers are a massive club with a great tradition and I can't wait to get going.

"I know Walter from playing under him at Scotland, so I'm looking forward to getting fit again.

"I guess I am coming at a bit of a transitional period for the club but I hope that Rangers can go back to being a side that wins trophies on a regular basis."