Rangers continue to count the cost of injuries this season as the club’s manager Michael Beale reveals fresh woes ahead of the League Cup Final with Celtic.
The incoming Ibrox manager has been unable to pick from a full squad since he replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst with injury problems plaguing the club’s campaign to date.
And this shows no signs of relenting heading into the Hampden showdown with several players now facing a race against time to be fit.
Adding to the already substantial injury list from this season, Michael Beale confirmed that Ryan Jack, John Lundstram, Malik Tillman and now Scott Roofe could also be missing.
This adds to Robby McCrorie, Filip Helander, John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz, Steven Davis, Tom Lawrence and Scott Arfield, with doubts also remaining around Rabbi Matondo.
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The Rangers boss is hopeful that several will declare themselves fit ahead of the game but is clear that he’ll be cutting through the bravado with plenty desperate to face Celtic in the League Cup Final.
“I need to make sure they are [actually fit] because it’s important there’s not a bravado around it, that they genuinely are fit,” said Beale.
“If we get one or two additions back, that will be a bonus, but I’m not counting on it right now. Will I take a risk on a player? Only if I think they can get through it.
“We live in a fantasy world if we think players lace their boots up every week in fantastic physical condition. It’s a final against a big rival.
“I am 100 percent sure one or two will declare themselves fit around Friday or Saturday. I’ll have to make the choice on whether they are.”
Astonishingly, the injuries situation at Ibrox means that Rangers could potentially be missing an entire team of first-team players going into the game. And not a bad one either.
Rangers XI who could miss League Cup Final v Celtic
GK – Robby McCrorie
DR – Ryan Jack
DC – Filip Helander
DC – John Souttar
DL – Ridvan Yilmaz
CDM – Steven Davis
CDM – John Lundstram
LW – Tom Lawrence
CAM – Malik Tillman
RW – Scott Arfield
ST – Kemar Roofe