When Rangers fans saw the teamsheet to face Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, a few hearts skipped a beat.
Not only was new signing Nedim Bajrami not in the starting XI but the absence of Vaclav Cerny had Gers fans fearing the worst.
As things would transpire, Rangers went on to win 1-0 courtesy of an early strike from Tom Lawrence and the Gers got through without the Czech winger.
But speaking ahead of the match, Philippe Clement confirmed that Vaclav Cerny was initially supposed to start the game.
Philippe Clement explains Vaclav Cerny absence
Philippe Clement has pledged to rid Rangers of the injury curse which has plagued the club in recent seasons.
But such things take time as the Belgian manager is finding out.
With Brazilian striker Danilo out with a torn ligament, Rangers are also still without injury prone pair Rabbi Matondo and Ridvan Yilmaz.
As Vaclav Cerny missed out v Dundee United, it’s easy to fear the worst with the Czech winger too.
But the Rangers manager explained ahead of kick-off that Cerny was missing due to a mystery illness.
Let’s hope the Wolfsburg loanee makes a speedy recovery, with a lack of options meaning Kieran Dowell started at right-wing at Tannadice.
“Normally it was the idea to start with Oscar (Cortes) and Vaclav Cerny,” Clement told RangersTV. “But Vaclav became sick yesterday during the training.
“Afterwards he had to vomit a lot and he’s very ill now, so it was not a possibility (for Cerny to play).
“Kieran Dowell comes in instead of him because he’s doing well in the training and Ross (McCausland) during international duty got a knock.
“So he had only one training, so it was more logical to start with Kieran in that position.”
Could lack of wide options hurt Rangers?
Rangers’ lack of strength in depth across the flanks was once again shown up against Dundee United.
Whilst the Gers got all three points in the northeast, the club’s failure to add another wide option this summer could yet come back to bite this season.
With Rabbi Matondo out for an as of yet undetermined length of time, with Vaclav Cerny and Ross McCausland out suddenly Oscar Cortes is the only fit natural winger.
New Rangers signing Nedim Bajrami admitted before the Dundee United match that he could also fill in at left-wing and did so at Tannadice when he came on for the Colombian attacker.
Let’s hope these guys get back up to full fitness before too long with the fixtures set to come thick and fast between now and the January window.
When the window does open, we suspect left-wing will be a priority position with Rangers well aware that it’s an area where the club has a lack of options.
The deal to bring Bajrami to Rangers also appears to explain the collapse of a late loan move for Southampton winger Samuel Edozie.
