Rangers are preparing to welcome Motherwell to Hampden in the club’s first official home match of the season.
The fact that Rangers aren’t playing at Ibrox for at least the first two months of the season has been a source of immense frustration for supporters but the national stadium is a solid alternative.
Rangers fans will descend on Hampden Park in their numbers to welcome the Steelmen to Glasgow as they look to register their first win of the season.
And heading into the game, an interesting subplot involving a Motherwell star has taken a fresh twist with Lennon Miller one of a number of Fir Park players potentially ruled out of the game.
Miller a ‘doubt’ for Rangers clash
As reported by BBC Sport, Motherwell are dealing with no fewer than eight injury concerns heading into the clash with Rangers.
In a treatment list which would make the Rangers medical department of the past three years baulk, Stuart Kettlewell’s side are set to be up against it in Glasgow.
Having opened their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 0-0 draw at home to Ross County, Saturday afternoon’s 3pm kick-off is looming large for the club.
And amongst the number of those who are unlikely to be involved is teenage sensation Lennon Miller.
The 18-year-old midfielder made the breakthrough at Fir Park last season and big things are expected of the kid this campaign.
Rangers have reportedly watched Miller a number of times this summer and there has been plenty of chatter about a deal being concluded before the transfer window slams shut.
But after being substituted with a ‘lower leg injury’ in the draw with Ross County, Miller is a major doubt for the clash with Rangers this weekend.
Whilst as things stand Miller is only a doubt, the midfielder joins Slane Blakey, Ross Callachan, Sam Nicholson, Harry Paton, Callum Slattery, Johnny Koutroumbis and Filip Stuparevic on the Motherwell injury list.
Motherwell star fits 14-point Rangers plan
Rangers Director of Recruitment Nils Koppen made clear that the Gers’ revamped transfer strategy would involve signing the best young players in the country.
In a comprehensive 14-point plan unveiled to supporters at the beginning of July, Koppen’s transfer policy has a variety of key aims at Ibrox.
Motherwell kid Lennon Miller is a profile which falls under a number of them.
Firstly Rangers will retain an ‘eye for the Scottish market and talents’ whilst the club are targeting ‘high technical quality and athleticism’.
Rangers also want players who are ‘robust, reliable and focused’ whilst Koppen wants to see the club give ‘more to give opportunities to young players and develop them’.
Finally, Rangers are targeting players ‘with the ability to take the next step to the Big 5 leagues’ who are also ‘winners’.
There are few players in Scotland who more readily fit that profile than Lennon Miller with this season set to be a crucial one in the Motherwell kid’s development.
Miller is open about targeting more goals and assists this campaign but Rangers fans will hope that doesn’t include at Hampden this weekend.
Lennon Miller has also previously been quizzed on the links to Rangers and revealed he’s been receiving expert advice amongst the transfer chatter.
