Rangers boss Steven Gerrard urged one journalist not to be so “pessimistic” as he insists he remains hopeful over injuries sustained to club captain James Tavernier and striker Kemar Roofe in an update over the pair.
The Ibrox gaffer was clearly delighted with his side’s 4-3 Europa League win against Belgian club Royal Antwerp but the victory came at a cost with both first-teamers limping off in the first half.
Gerrard also revealed that winger Ryan Kent was carrying a knock pre-match with the Scouseradmitting he’d have rather not played the winger, who came off the bench to score.
Tavernier took a sore one when he went into a 50 50 with an Antwerp defender, the two striking either side of the ball and Tav coming off the worst.
But when asked about Tavernier potentially being ruled out ahead of the club being crowned Champions, Steven Gerrard warned he won’t be making any assumptions on his skipper before the medical department properly assess the knock.
Roofe too was the subject of a discussion as Gerrard admitted recurring calf problems are “concerning” for the ex-Leeds United and Anderlecht striker.
“I’m concerned for both, sitting here right now,” said Gerrard [Rangers].
“More concerned for Kemar, just because he feels that it’s the same as a previous injury which he missed two to three weeks from.
“We think he’s got a calf problem but we’ll have a look at it in the next coming days in term of a scan.
“As for James, he’s obviously went in for a block tackle and he’s felt some pain in the knee area so we’ll see how he settles down and we’ll get him scanned as well.
“I’m concerned for both players because they’re very important to the group.
“That’s very pessimistic question from you [regarding Tavernier missing the next few weeks] – I’m trying to stay optimistic. This is my captain, he has been absolutely unreal for me since I came in the door.
“I’m going to stay as positive as I can.
“We will check it out and, knowing James, he will be desperate to get back as soon as possible.
“But, it is what it is. He’s had a fantastic run in terms of injuries.
“I won’t concern myself too much until we get the news. We have a fantastic medical department who will analyse it and tell me what’s what.
“I know for a fact James will do whatever he can to get back as quick as he can.
“Let’s just hope and pray the scan news is more positive than negative.”
Rangers boss Gerrard would also reveal that winger Ryan Kent is carrying a knee knock from before the Antwerp tie with the club monitoring the winger’s situation.
“Ryan deserved a breather tonight,” said Gerrard.
“He reported a bit of a knee issue five, six days ago and he played at the weekend and had a little bit of discomfort.
“But the game needed Ryan Kent and I had to use him, in an ideal situation I wouldn’t have had to.”
Rangers pipped Royal Antwerp in Belgium courtesy of a late Borna Barisic penalty at the end of a frenetic affair which saw seven goals, five yellow cards, a red, three penalties and a combined 16 minutes of injury time.
Here’s how the Rangers players rated from the match with the club now in pole position to qualify for the last 16 of this season’s Europa League.
