No sooner had Michael Beale emptied his locker at Auchenhowie than Kemar Roofe and Nicolas Raskin returned to Rangers training.
Whether or not the pair would have been enough to prevent the shambles against Aberdeen is another story but they both bring a quality that is much needed for the Europa League.
Aris Limassol will present a difficult test but with Kemar Roofe and Nicolas Raskin available, as revealed by interim Rangers manager Steven Davis via Rangers TV, our chances of success greatly improve.
Kemar Roofe and Nicolas Raskin set to return for Rangers
You’d back Roofe to take the sort of chance that Cyriel Dessers missed against Aberdeen, you’d also back Raskin not to settle for playing square passes in front of the opposition defence for 90 minutes
Davis said of the key duo who were both seen in training and on the trip to Cyprus:
“Nico has travelled and also Kemar Roofe. Unfortunately, Jacko did not make it but those two will be available to play providing everything goes well in training tonight.”
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that they will start but it is good news that they are available to play at all, especially with a tricky away game against high-flying St Mirren at the weekend.
It gives new manager Steven Davis more depth to have both Kemar Roofe and Nicolas Raskin available, the subs that Michael Beale made last week made that pretty obvious.
Zak Lovelace came on for Cyriel Dessers and a change of shape saw Ryan Jack go off at half-time.
If David can get Rangers though the next two games unscathed, a welcome international break should see injured players like Kieran Dowell, Todd Cantwell, Tom Lawrence and Danilo return or be, at least, be back in training.
There will be enough pressure on whoever the new manager is and having a near to fully fit squad available will help their cause.
Having players of the quality of Kemar Roofe and Nicolas Raskin match fit will be an even bigger boost.
