Rangers will be without five key first team players for the trip to St Johnstone as manager Giovanni van Brconkhorst fails to give a timeline on the return of midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
Rangers are under increasing pressure regarding the move as the club slip from six points in front to three behind in the title race and the Gers’ January business comes under the microscope.
Whilst Celtic’s business has settled in well – January signing Reo Hatate even scoring a double v Rangers – the Ibrox club’s signings have made little impact on the squad.
James Sands and Mateusz Zukowski were signed as squad players, whilst Amad Diallo is yet to convince fans that the move was the right one given his lack of first-team experience.
Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey headed the list of signings but the injury-plagued midfielder’s start to life at Rangers has once again seen the Welshman sidelined.
Rather touchy about it last week, van Bronckhorst was a little more conversational on the subject this time around but it’s clear Rangers are unsure of when the Ramsey will return.
No “clear timeline” on Aaron Ramsey Rangers return
“I don’t have a clear timeline. Hopefully he can join the team very soon,” said van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
“He is already working on the pitch again, so hopefully in the near future we can welcome him back in the squad.
“Of course we wanted Aaron to be involved more than he is now, but the most disappointed is Aaron himself. It’s football, you very rarely get the ideal scenario as a coach.”
The midfielder has now missed four games on the bounce and has played only 94 minutes of football since joining, with reports in Italy claiming Rangers have no interest in taking up a reported option to buy as a result.
The former Arsenal star isn’t the only absentee from the match and joins Amad Diallo, Steven Davis, Ryan Jack and Filip Helander on the sidelines. All four are international players.
Filip Helander and Ryan Jack should return for the match against Aberdeen at the weekend whilst Amad Diallo will miss the clash with the Dons.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave no update on the timeline of Steven Davis, who hasn’t played for Rangers since playing 60 minutes against Annan last month.
The absence of Amad and Ramsey in particular will have Rangers fans smarting as the club’s directors come under fire for what many view as a £40m gamble.
