Kevin Thomson made a welcome return to the Rangers midfield as a second-half substitute in their 2-0 friendly win over Nurnberg in Germany.

Second-half strikes by substitutes Steven Naismith and Nacho Novo gave the Clydesdale Bank of Scotland Premier League champions victory in the Frankenstadium.

However, manager Walter Smith would have been just as delighted with the sight of Thomson in a Light Blue jersey for the first time since damaging his cruciate ligament in a 4-0 victory at Kilmarnock in November.

The 24-year-old former Hibernian player was rewarded for his long battle to regain full fitness when he replaced Charlie Adam with 30 minutes remaining to help the visitors to victory in the first game of their German tour.

The Ibrox side were slow out of the traps but although there was some rustiness on view in an unconvincing first half, strikers Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd and midfielder Pedro Mendes all missed good chances.

Miller missed with a header from eight yards, Boyd also failed with his head from slightly further out and Mendes over-ran the ball when he tried to take it around Nurnberg keeper Raphael Schafer.

But three minutes after the break, Naismith, on as an interval replacement for Boyd, fired the Govan side in to the lead with a superb 22-yard strike.

In the 71st minute Novo, on for Miller, sealed the win when he finished off a fine move involving Naismith and Pedro Mendes.

However, while the victory and return of Thomson was welcomed by Smith, the Ibrox boss's goalkeeping dilemma looks no closer to being solved.

Neil Alexander, who finished last season in possession of the number one jersey, started the first half with Allan McGregor appearing after the break, with both players turning in impressive performances.

After having the first game of the Germany tour against Sportfreunde Lottte twice postponed because of the weather, Rangers play the second challenge match of the tour against SC Wiedenbruck on Tuesday.