Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed that the Old Firm clash at Celtic Park has come too soon for new signing Aaron Ramsey.
The Juventus loanee and Wales international midfielder joined Rangers on deadline day in one of the most significant transfer deals in Rangers and Scottish footballing history.
The move have brought a huge lift to the entire club amid the Scottish Premiership title race but for Rangers supporters hoping Ramsey could make the match v Celtic, van Bronckhorst has some disappointing news.
“I’m very happy with the last day of the transfer window, bringing in two players,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“Really happy and pleased to have him (Ramsey) in the squad, first contact I had with him was over the weekend and to be able to bring in a player like Aaron was a very good opportunity for us.
“Luckily for us, after all the hard work Ross Wilson put in we could bring him in and he will bring experience and quality to the squad.
“You have to be prepared in the transfer window and to leave the window stronger than you started it and I think we achieved that this window.
“Aaron trained with the squad today.
“He just comes back from a couple of weeks he didn’t play so for tomorrow it’s too soon for him to be involved but I expect him to be in the squad in the near future, really quick.”
Rangers star Aaron Ramsey won’t be involved v Celtic
The Ibrox manager also confirmed that Filip Helander is still on the sidelines as he works his way back from a knee surgery and that the player will need minutes to build his fitness back up.
Leon Balogun – who has had injury issues of his own of late – will return to the squad for the trip after his MOTM performance in the first Old Firm game of the season.
Rangers fans will be hoping to bounce back from a 3-3 draw with Ross County at the weekend with Celtic’s win over Dundee United presenting them the chance to top the Premiership with a win.
However, Rangers can take confidence from the fact it as been over two years since the Parkhead side beat them.
Allan McGregor – who was involved in two defensive errors in the match in Dingwall – has also been given van Bronckhorst’s backing ahead of the game.
Much has been made about the inconsistency of Rangers’ defence heading into the game with the Ibrox side missing out on a late defender move on Deadline Day.
