Rangers boss Michael Beale has provided an injury update as fans count the cost of a Connor Goldson blow, but breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to Nicolas Raskin.
The Gers have been without influential vice-captain Connor Goldson, 30, due to an injury sustained in the 3-0 win over Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking ahead of the clash with Hibs, the Rangers manager confirmed that the problem is serious and will keep the key Ibrox centre-back out of the team for 10 weeks.
That means the injury has ended Goldson’s season, with the manager urging John Souttar and Leon King to step up in the vice-captain’s absence.
“We have lost Connor and that will be for the next 10 weeks or so,” Michael Beale told RangersTV.
“We won’t see him until pre-season. But it’s a big opportunity for Leon (King), playing alongside John (Souttar) as a Scottish centre-half pairing with Robby (McCrorie) behind them, there is lots to be optimistic about with that triangle and I am looking forward to a strong performance from those guys.”
Both players performed admirably in the 3-1 win at Easter Road, with Robby McCrorie’s Rangers clean sheet record smashed by the side conceding late from a corner.
After the game, the Rangers boss also expanded on the situation with Goldson.
“It is a problem with his foot,” said Beale. “A real strange one, he landed on it last week in the game and he wanted to continue the last three or four minutes, he did.
“He is in a boot at the moment and we are away to see a specialist.
“That is his season over. He will return back to being on the pitch working after six weeks and it might take him four weeks after that to be ready to play.
“Hopefully by the start of next season he is back.”
Connor Goldson injury blow but Nicolas Raskin Rangers relief
Rangers midfielder Raskin also went off in the match after a worrying clash of knees and the Ibrox support will breathe a sigh of relief after Beale’s post-match comments.
The Belgian U21 international is beginning to settle into his role in the Rangers team, but was subbed off during a distinctively tigerish display in the middle of the Easter Road pitch.
However, early fears over the seriousness of the injury have been quelled by the Ibrox boss, who claimed that Raskin is okay after the game.
“Nico’s fine, it was a strange one, it was a clash of knees,” said Beale.
“I think it’s just touched a bit of a nerve. He wanted to continue but once he got up and put weight on it he knew he couldn’t.
“Let’s hope he’s ok because again today that midfield three worked really well together.”
Raskin also took to Instagram in the aftermath of the result to thank fans for their messages of support and to confirm that he’s “fine” after the injury knock.