Aberdeen manager Stephen Glass has confirmed that he will be without key player Marley Watkins for tonight’s Premiership clash against Rangers at Pittodrie.
The two sides are returning to action following the winter break and will both be looking to hit the ground running in 2022.
Rangers’ lead at the top of the table was cut to three points after Celtic defeated Hibs on Monday night, while the Dons are a whopping 24 points back in sixth.
Gio van Bronckhorst is set to be without a number of first-team players for the match, but Glass won’t have a full squad to pick from either.
Glass confirms Watkins to miss Rangers clash
He’s confirmed ahead of the match that Wales international winger Watkins hasn’t yet recovered from an injury picked up during their win over Dundee on Boxing Day.
“Marley has not made it and he will be out for another few weeks,” said the Aberdeen boss [Afc.co.uk] “It is unfortunate for us but it gives someone else another opportunity. We have got a good squad to look forward to the game with.”
There was some positive injury news for the hosts, though, with Northern Ireland international Matty Kennedy back fit following several months on the sidelines.
“Matty Kennedy is the only one of the longer term in juries who will be available and he comes back into the squad, we can name 20 in the squad now as well which helps,” added Glass.
Watkins absence a blow for Aberdeen
Given that Watkins had started nine Premiership matches in a row for Glass, he’ll be gutted to be without the 31-year-old against the Gers.
He carries a goal threat for a team who’ve struggled to find the back of the net for the majority of the season, but the return of the versatile Kennedy is a boost.
Rangers have a good record in the Granite City in recent times, and they’ll be confident that even with a number of their own players unavailable, they have more than enough quality to secure all three points.