Rangers’ much-discussed injury problems run much deeper than just the Ibrox physio’s room.
Whilst there have been several amongst the Rangers squad who’ve suffered from persistent injury problems, the impact is also being felt by those still playing for the team.
As three of Rangers’ most exciting attacking players edge closer to a return, there are two players in the Ibrox club’s number who are most set to benefit.
It comes as Rangers bolster the club’s medical team with the appointment of a new head physio from Aberdeen.
Rangers duo feeling impact of hectic schedule
Philippe Clement explained that Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami are feeling the impact of a hectic schedule for club and country.
Czech winger Cerny and Albanian playmaker Bajrami are crucial players for club and country and have been near ever-presents in Philippe Clement’s team in recent weeks.
Exposure to Rangers’ relentless schedule has been evident as of late, and especially against St Johnstone at the weekend, where both Cerny and Bajrami struggled to make an impact.
Clement reckons that Rangers getting all their attacking players back will boost the Ibrox side’s creativity, allowing both these players to get a rest and others to come into the side.
”Nedim (Bajrami) has been playing a lot on the left side,” Clement told the press ahead of the trip to Nice. “He can play there but he can play also in the midfield.
”And Nedim and Vaclav (Cerny) had to play all the games, also with the national team. So those are things that are taken into account.
”Getting all these players back will raise also our freshness in our offensive part and will raise our creativity.”
Creative Rangers trio closing in on returns
Rangers fans will hope that they get some of their more creative players back sooner rather than later.
In the same press conference, Philippe Clement confirmed that Welsh playmaker Tom Lawrence is edging closer to fitness.
The 30-year-old has suffered from a series of injury problems throughout his Rangers career but has played his most consistent football at Ibrox this season.
Alongside Lawrence, Rangers are also preparing for the likes of Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo to return to the team.
These are two young, hungry wide players who should offer pace and creativity in abundance, effectively allowing Clement to rotate the likes of Nedim Bajrami and Vaclav Cerny.
Throw in Ross McCausland – who has had his own injury problems this season – and the resurgence of Ianis Hagi and suddenly Rangers have more options than ever this season.
The challenge, as it has been since Philippe Clement came through the doors at Rangers, is keeping them all fit.
