Rangers saw off FCSB in fine fashion to improve their hopes of progress in the Europa League.
Philippe Clement lifted some of the pressure off his shoulders as the manager of a squad who have shown again that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Ibrox wasn’t quite full but those who did turn up would have been delighted with what they saw, however, Rangers win has come at a cost.
Philippe Clement gives Rangers injury update
The injury curse that seems to haunt those in the hot seat doesn’t show any signs of lifting any time soon with four players set to take their seats in the waiting area of the Auchenhowie treatment room.
Just as players like Danilo and Ridvan Yilmaz return to full training, the doubtful list for St Mirren has a few extra names.
Speaking after the 4-0 win over FCSB, Clement was asked about the damage to Cyriel Dessers in particular but gave updates on the other walking wounded when he said:
“I’m not an eye specialist,” after the Rangers No.9 looked visibly upset at having to leave the pitch.
“I’ve a lot of things to do at this club, but that’s not one of those things. We will see how he is in the next couple of days.
“Tom Lawrence got a bad knock, so we need to see how he is and what we can do with that.
“Leon Balogun cramped, so I don’t think it’s a big issue.”
On Dessers reaction to having to be substituted, Clement added:
“He was so emotional. He was hungry to score, hungry to play good for the team.
“He got a knock on his eye and lost eyesight. He could not see anything any more or not enough to play so he was emotional in that moment because he didn’t want to come off. But he could not play.
“Afterwards he said, ‘Sorry manager I should have stayed longer and sit down and give time for the rest’ but it was an emotional reaction of a player who is very hungry to play.”
Jack Butland ankle blow a concern for Rangers
Jack Butland will be thanking the slow moving VAR process for not being responsible for Rangers being 1-0 down after just a few minutes.
Capable on either foot, the England international took an age to release the ball and was lucky to be given a, very, soft free-kick when he was caught in possession.
The 31-year old stayed down for a while after the challenge and is either a very good actor or was genuinely hurt, which was confirmed in the second-half when he emerged with strapping on his ankle as spotted by RTV commentary duo, Tom Miller and Andy Little.
It didn’t seem to affect his performance though as he made a couple of fine stops in the second period, however, it is still a cause for concern.
A goalkeeper with a dodgy ankle is the last thing Clement needs.
