Any Rangers supporter hoping for a positive development on the injury front ahead of Thursday’s Scottish Premiership trip to Dundee had better temper their expectations.
Because while concerns over Robin Propper’s availability proved unfounded – the Dutchman should feature despite picking up another card in the 3-3 draw at Hibernian last time out – Rangers’ lengthy list of defensive absentees is not getting any shorter.
Jack Butland will be unavailable at Dens Park as he recovers from an internal bleed which left the goalkeeper in hospital.
John Souttar is weeks away from returning. Leon Balogun, James Tavernier and Neraysho Kasanwirjo too.
Youngster Leon King made his first appearance of 2024/25 at Easter Road after Dujon Sterling picked up a knock too. Whether King is selected to make a maiden Premiership start since November 2022, meanwhile, may rest on whether Sterling recovers in time for Rangers’ midweek trip to the Lowlands.
Dujon Sterling touch-and-go for Rangers’ trip to Dundee
Speaking at his press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Clement revealed that Sterling is the only member of Rangers’ walking wounded who has a chance of being involved against Tony Docherty’s physical side.
“Yeah, too much injury news,” Clement sighs. “Jack Butland will still be out. John Souttar will still be out. Leon Balogun will still be out. James Tavernier will still be out. Nana Kasanwirjo will still be out, and Tom Lawrence will still be out.
“Dujon Sterling is a doubt, so we will see tomorrow.”
If Sterling is indeed forced to watch on from the stands, that will leave Propper and King as Rangers’ only senior centre-back options. Tavernier, Kasanwirjo and Sterling make up Rangers’ first three right-back options too, though Clement is delighted with Ridvan Yilmaz’s impressive adaptation to a new-look role on the opposition flank.
Welshman Lawrence has not featured in a Premiership match since providing an assist in October’s 2-1 defeat at rivals Aberdeen. Fortunately, Rangers are well stocked in the attacking midfield role at present.
Albanian schemer Nedim Bajrami prefers the number ten spot, while the technically-gifted Danilo has also caught the eye when playing in a free role off the physically imposing Hamza Igamane in recent times.
Clement can also call upon the revitalised Ianis Hagi, if he opts to shuffle his pack and hand Oscar Cortes or Rabbi Matondo a start on the left-wing.
Rangers told to target Dundee duo Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan
Former Gers midfielder Andy Halliday, meanwhile, feels that the Dundee clash should see Clement take a closer look at two players who would fit in well at Ibrox. Halliday is urging Rangers to target Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan, with the Dens Park duo out of contract in the summer.
“[Rangers] just need to prepare a squad, whether it’s depth, quality, line up players for the summer and try to do as much business as they can,” Halliday says. “Pre contracts! Two players I would sign right now; Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan. Honestly, I would sign the two of them.”
“Mulligan is an athletic monster, I am signing him. I am signing the two of them on pre-contracts,” adds Halliday, who has come up against the Dundee pair this season with Motherwell.
“[Koppen] mentioned homegrown talent. See your Mulligans and Lyall Camerons, I’m not saying signing them is going to win Rangers the league. But see what [Luke] McCowan is doing for Celtic, get them two boys for proper squad depth, they will play games and do well for you.”
