When Philippe Clement has been asked about the state of Rangers’ injury situation during his pre-match press conferences, it’s typically been more bad news than good.
But, speaking ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup clash with Championship outfit Queens’ Park, there was an unfamiliar sense of optimism.
With the treatment room quieter now than at any point since the festive period – Rangers have been without James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling, Robin Propper, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence at times this year – Clement’s squad is, touch wood, creeping back towards full fitness.
Danilo’s stop-start Gers career was put on pause once again back in January. And while that Queens’ Park clash will come too soon, the £5 million signing from Feyenoord should be available again before next week’s trip to Hearts.
Clement also expects to have Balogun and Sterling at his disposal, alongside Leon King.
Ridvan Yilmaz stayed at Rangers despite interest from Turkey during the winter window, meanwhile. And he is back on the training pitch having missed the last three fixtures in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League.
Philippe Clement has good news on Rangers’ injured stars
“We have a few ones who will come back short-term,” Clement says, the Belgian set to finally embrace the rare luxury of a selection headache. “Danilo will be back normally next week.
“I expect, a week after, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun to be back. Ridvan is back already in training. Leon King is also back in training after his conclusion. The others, it’s a little bit longer.”
Clement is not quite so optimistic about the luckless Oscar Cortes.
While Rangers remain committed to signing the RC Lens loanee permanently – Cortes has a £4 million option-to-buy clause in his contract – there is still no clear return date for a winger who has made only five Premiership appearances since mid-September.
Clement has more bad news about Rangers winger Oscar Cortes
“I don’t want to force my medical staff into a corner,” Clement admits. “Oscar has proven [his talent]. So, it’s about us as a club getting him fit again. He’s still a young player. So, for sure he [come back and play again for Rangers] in the future.
“It’s different things that happen along the way. Different injuries, not connected with each other. Most of them are also out of contact [no-contact],” the Belgian explains, Cortes suffering a setback shortly after making a short-lived return to action just before Christmas.
“So, I hope for Oscar that this one year that everything happens and, for the rest of his career, he will not have problems. Because it’s been mostly bad luck.”
Clement is expected to shake up his starting XI when Rangers host Queens’ Park this weekend. The Glasgow giants cruised past Fraserburgh last time out thanks to a hat-trick from Cyriel Dessers.
Ross McCausland also scored in that 5-0 win and should be in contention to start here. Teenagers Finlay Curtis, Paul Nsio and Bailey Rice will hope to get some minutes too, while a full debut may be on the cards for Lille loanee Rafael Fernandes.
