Graham Dorrans’ luck at Ibrox went from bad to worse yesterday as Steven Gerrard revealed another injury concern.
It’s been revealed that the former West Brom man is going to miss the next several months due to knee surgery. This comes just weeks after making a promising return to the first-team following an initial long-term ankle injury.
Gerrard revealed the news at yesterday’s pre-match press conference. Borna Barisic was also ruled out of Sunday’s game, but Scott Arfield was deemed fit and ready to go.
The main negative light was shining on Dorrans, however. The midfielder hasn’t been able to get any luck since arriving in Glasgow, and it’s a bitter blow in every sense.
Dorrans looked like he could’ve added something tangible to this Rangers side. He looked vibrant and refreshed after coming back from his ankle injury. Appearances against Villarreal, St Johnstone and Ayr United impressed and increased hope of a fresh start.
His long-term knee injury, however, has robbed him of that.
Dropping down the pecking order
As well as that, Dorrans is slowly dropping down the pecking order at Ibrox with his injury concerns. Jordan Rossiter is back and fighting fit. He put in an impressive display against Hamilton, and now leapfrogs Dorrans in the squad.
As it stands, Dorrans is now the least-favoured midfielder at the club, and not just because of his injury. Ovie Ejaria, Ryan Jack, Lassana Coulibaly, Scott Arfield, Andy Halliday, Ross McCrorie, and Rossiter are all in better positions than him. All of them are also now ahead of him in the pecking order.
Even the likes of Greg Docherty, who isn’t even at the club, is making enough headlines to be considered ahead of Dorrans when he returns.
It’s been a real set-back for the Scotland international, who just can’t catch a break. He deserves another chance to recover from his latest injury. If he’s set to miss a few months, then hopefully he’ll be ready to go after the Winter break.
In the meantime, however, Rangers will be looking to press on. They can’t sit still and pin hopes on Dorrans. It’s now down to the out-of-favour midfielder to recover and make himself undroppable.
