With the news that influential skipper Barry Ferguson will be out for between three and four months, a huge talking point has been whether Rangers can cope without their Captain Fantastic.

If you look back to last season, whenever Ferguson wasn't there, Rangers struggled. A few examples are as follows:

1. Near the beginning of the season when Rangers lost 4-2 away to Hearts, Ferguson was left on the bench. They found themselves 2-0 down and looked lost until Ferguson appeared for the second half. He quickly won a penalty for his side after only and the second half was a definite improvement on the first 45 minutes.

2. At home to Stuttgart in the first game of the Champions League group stage, Rangers were on top until Ferguson took a nasty knock on the head and needed stitches. He was off the field for around 10 minutes, during which time Rangers suddenly looked very shaky and conceded a goal. When Ferguson arrived back after his stitches, Rangers looked rejuvenated and went on to win the game 2-1.

3. Towards the end of the campaign Rangers hosted First Division side Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox, but without Fergie in the team they really struggled to get into gear.

Being a season ticket holder at Ibrox, it seems to me that Rangers haven't got anyone else in midfield who is willing to get the ball down, get it forward and help out the strikers the way that Ferguson does. Unless David Murray lets the purse strings loose, then I fear Celtic may be on course for four in a row. It could even be wrapped up by Christmas, just like it was two years ago.

I believe Rangers must give Fulham that extra £1million for Steve Davis even though I'm not sure he's the creative midfielder that we are looking for. That player has just been let go in Thomas Buffel.

In central midfield Rangers only really have Kevin Thomson and Brahim Hemdani to play in that role. I really rate Thomson as a player and, with Ferguson out, Rangers really need a creative player beside him in the middle of the park.

Hemdani also is a very clever player but, though he's very handy to have for European competition, he's just not cut out for the SPL. We also have Charlie Adam, who simply isn't good enough, and young Dean Furman, who probably isn't ready to take on the burden of replacing Ferguson. In other words, a creative midfield player is a must.

Even though it pains me to say it, I believe that losing Ferguson for three months of the season will prove too big a blow for Rangers to come back from and that Celtic will indeed go on to win four in a row. I'd love to know what you think. Can Rangers survive without their inspirational captain?