Philippe Clement is counting down the minutes until he has a fully fit squad at his disposal at Rangers.
The Belgian manager walked into a medical department in uproar last season with as many as 12 Rangers stars out at any given time.
Clement has pledged to transform Rangers’ fitness issues but as the club reached a crucial juncture this season during the festive period, catastrophe struck the Ibrox backline.
With almost all of the club’s most experienced players and defenders coming down with injury at once, it’s had a devastating impact on Rangers’ Scottish Premiership ambitions.
Rangers duo return to training ahead of Aberdeen
With Rangers now 15 points behind Old Firm rivals Celtic, Philippe Clement is counting the cost of a recent spate of injury problems.
But there might now be some light at the end of the tunnel as the Rangers manager confirms two of his most experienced campaigners are back in training.
Speaking ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Aberdeen, Clement revealed that both club captain James Tavernier and centre-back Leon Balogun are back on the pitch at Auchenhowie.
But after just one session with the Rangers squad, it remains unclear if both or either will be available for the visit of the Dons.
“We had two players back in training with Tav and Leon Balogun,” said Clement.
”So we’re going to look tomorrow how we are if they had a reaction or not, and if they are able to be in the selection or not.
”So it’s a positive to get players back now.
”Of course they didn’t train much or anything but it’s a positive that they are back.”
Clement sends firm message over crocked stars
Whilst the imminent returns of James Tavernier and Leon Balogun will be welcomed by Rangers supporters, there are still several key players missing from the club’s matchday squad.
John Souttar remains an absentee after suffering an injury in the Europa League draw with Spurs, the absence of the Scotland international hurting the club’s ambitions this season.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo is also set to be recalled by Feyenoord with injury putting an end to an initially bright Rangers loan spell.
Liam Kelly did the player’s pre-match press conference with Jack Butland still sidelined due to a freak internal bleed.
Rangers utility man Dujon Sterling has also seen his entire campaign disrupted by persistent injury issues.
Attacking midfielder Tom Lawrence is the only absentee in the offensive part of the field.
Speaking about when the other players could return, Philippe Clement confirmed that he has a timeline for his players but sent a firm message to the press about divulging any details.
“I have a rough time schedule but that’s for me and the medical staff, in that way,” said Clement.
”So I will tell you guys when players are back like I say now directly also and I’m being open and honest with that.
”Tav and Leon just went back and that’s the best way to do it like that.”
