Up to 10 Rangers first-teamers could be set to miss the Champions League clash with Napoli as the Gers prepare to walk into the Lion’s Den.
The Ibrox side are gearing up to face a form Napoli team who can make it a club record 12 wins on the bounce should they beat Rangers in Italy.
If that incentive wasn’t bad enough news for Rangers, the Ibrox side will be playing at the intimidating Diego Armando Maradona Stadium with no fans.
This is after policing arrangements for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II prevented Napoli fans attending the Ibrox leg, which the Italians won 3-0.
Rangers know that they will be without at least seven first-teamers for the trip to Napoli as the club’s European campaign hangs by a thread this season.
Remarkably, Rangers can still qualify for the Europa League if they get something in Naples and Ajax are beaten by Liverpool, with the club’s fate then coming down to the final match against the Dutch Champions at Ibrox.
Up to 10 set to miss Rangers’ Champions League trip to Napoli
It’s a big if and Rangers will be without Connor Goldson, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Nmandi Ofoborh Ianis Hagi, Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence in their hunt to do so.
Six of these players won’t be seen until after the World Cup whilst the seventh – Nmandi Ofoborh – has never kicked a competitive ball for the club due to a heart defect.
Then there are doubts surrounding Ibrox midfielder Glen Kamara, who hasn’t featured for the side since picking up a knock in the 4-0 Premiership win over St Mirren.
We don’t exactly know what the issue is, but then again, Rangers aren’t exactly the best when it comes to providing player injury updates these days.
Then there is Ibrox duo Leon King and Rabbi Matondo, who were both substituted in the 1-1 Ibrox draw with Livingston at the weekend.
King went off at half-time due to be being nauseous, whilst half-time sub Matondo was subbed off later in the game with a back issue.
As if Rangers’ Champions League trip to Napoli wasn’t already daunting enough, read more about how the club’s players will do well to escape Naples with their reputations intact.