Philippe Clement has been lamenting the fact Rangers have no fewer than eight players out of the Europa League clash with Manchester United.
But the defiant Ibrox manager insists the situation will not hold his young Rangers team back as they look to record a famous victory at Old Trafford this week.
The Gers head to Manchester to face a Red Devils team wobbling under new manager Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese boss branding this ‘the worst Man United side in history’ over the weekend.
Here’s the latest Rangers squad update from Philippe Clement as the Ibrox side look to take full advantage on another massive Europa League night for the club.
Whilst Big Phil counts eight ‘starters’ who won’t make the clash, there is some good news with regards the return of one ex-Manchester United player.
Eight Rangers players to miss Man United clash
”They don’t need to demonstrate to me,” Clement said when asked about alternative options making an impression.
”It’s for themselves, for the club, for the team and then what the team has been doing.
”Indeed, we will miss quite a few players, I think around eight who could be starting XI tomorrow because of injuries, the European list, suspensions also with Dio.
”But it’s about the whole team, the whole squad digging in together and getting results like they’ve been doing the last couple of months.”
Who is out of Rangers v Man United in Europa League?
Rangers can automatically rule out several players who have not been included in the club’s Europa League squad.
Ianis Hagi stands out as amongst the biggest names on the list, with Brazilian striker Danilo and Colombian winger Oscar Cortes also not in the selection.
Clinton Nsiala, who broke through into the Rangers first-team recently, is also ineligible.
Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande is also banned for the clash at Old Trafford after picking up a third yellow card v Tottenham Hotspur.
It then raises a question over the other three players Philippe Clement is referring to.
Of the names included in Rangers’ Europa League squad, Neraysho Kasanwirjo is definitely ruled out as Feyenoord look to cancel the player’s loan deal.
John Souttar has also been absent since the Europa League draw with Tottenham whilst Dujon Sterling has had a challenging season with injuries.
Philippe Clement in Jack Butland hint
There is some good news however, with Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland back in training and feeling fit ahead of a potential Old Trafford debut.
It comes after Butland spent six months on loan at Old Trafford in 22/23 but never played for his boyhood club.
Moving to Rangers at the end of that loan deal, Butland was Rangers’ star player last season and will have a point to prove back in Manchester.
Clement was coy when asked if the goalkeeper, who has missed the last six games due an internal bleed, would be recalled at the Theatre of Dreams.
”Jack (Butland) is back training and he feels fit,” said Clement.
”I never give my starting XI before the game but it’s clear what Jack done before for the club.
”It’s also very good what Liam Kelly has been doing the last couple of weeks for the club and I will make a correct decision tomorrow towards that.
”I am happy to have really two good goalkeepers, also Mason get the experience now in the cup and that was also important.
”But it’s important to have two good goalkeepers but there’s also a certain hierarchy in that way after the performances all the time that I’ve been in the club.”
Ex-Manchester United star Tom Lawrence has also been snapped in training this morning.
Philippe Clement hinted that the playmaker – who came through the Manchester United youth academy – could be involved in some capacity at Old Trafford.
“Tom Lawrence is in the squad,” said Clement. “He trained now the first time two days in a row with the squad.
“He comes, of course, after a long injury. So it’s not that he can play a lot of minutes tomorrow.
“ I think it’s a really nice moment for him also to be back in the squad, to be back in Manchester, his home city, and to be in the club where he played in the academy.
“So it was good also that we could bring him with the squad today.”
