“Huge blow” for Rangers could get worse as six players could miss Euro qualifiers

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Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has lamented the “huge blow” regarding three first-team stars who could miss out completely on Champions League qualification – but the number could rise to six.

Gerrard was discussing the situation regarding suspensions to Glen Kamara, Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun in the aftermath of the Slavia Prague shame game in the Europa League.

Roofe had his four-match ban upheld this week whilst Glen Kamara will serve a controversial three-match ban for his reaction to racial abuse from Czech defender Ondrej Kudela.

Leon Balogun was sent off in the game after picking up two yellow cards and – if I’ve interpreted the rules correctly – will serve a two-match suspension; one for reaching five yellow cards and one for being sent off.

All three could miss Rangers’ entire Champions League qualification campaign – with the number of rounds the club must navigate dependent on how other leagues finish in Europe – but Gerrard has eased fan woes by claiming he’ll do his best to ensure the squad is prepared.

“Not having Kemar Roofe, Glen Kamara and Leon Balogun is obviously a huge blow to the club, that’s just the way it is,” lamented Gerrard [Rangers].

“But it’s my job to try and make sure that the squad can cope without names and I’ll do everything I can to put us in the best place.”

However, whilst losing those three talents in particular remains a challenge for Rangers in what promises to be a difficult path to the cash-rich tournament, three other stars could also be side-lined.

Long-term injured centre-back Nikola Katic remains in recovery after a cruciate ligament injury ruled him out for the entire season.

It remains to be seen if the big 24-year-old defender will be back in the squad in time for the qualifiers but Niko will certainly be targeting a return next season.

Ryan Jack – another influential player besieged by injury this season – remains a doubt for the qualifiers and manager Steven Gerrard claimed it’s “too early to say” if the midfielder will be available.

Completing the list is Romanian midfielder Ianis Hagi, who has previously expressed his excitement about attending the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with Romania.

Rangers could well stop the midfielder from attending the tournament but as things stand there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be on the plane to Japan this summer.