Rangers could draft in ex-AC Milan defender as injury and suspension chaos disrupts backline

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As injury chaos strikes the heart of the Rangers defence, Philippe Clement might finally be forced into handing the last of his summer signings a first-team debut.

Clinton Nsiala hasn’t played a single minute of top team football for Rangers since moving to the club in the summer but as injuries strike at Ibrox, an opportunity could soon be looming.

It comes after Nsiala was included in a matchday squad for the first time in the 3-3 draw with Hibs as Rangers count the cost losing several important players during the hectic festive schedule.

• READ MORE: Sky Sports left perplexed by Rangers v Hibs penalty call

Rangers face defensive injury crisis

Rangers are counting the heavy cost of losing John Souttar to injury, the club dropping points in all three away matches they have played without the centre-back.

But with Jack Butland and James Tavernier also sidelined, Rangers are now without Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Leon Balogun and potentially Dujon Sterling to boot.

“(John Souttar) will be still several weeks,” Clement told the press. “He will not be back in the short term.

”I don’t have a clue (about Dujon Sterling) for the moment. Dujon got a kick on his foot. He had to come off because of that, we will see how serious the injury is.

“I don’t know if Leon will be back, and for sure not others. So we need to puzzle towards Thursday, so we will focus on that the next couple of days.“

Throw in an imminent suspension for Dutch defender Robin Propper and suddenly there are a dearth of options across the entire Ibrox backline.

With crucial must win clashes against Dundee, St Johnstone and Aberdeen on the horizon, Clinton Nsiala is surely just counting down the minutes to a top team debut.

Clinton Nsiala waits on Rangers debut

Rangers signed young French defender Clinton Nsiala, 20, following the expiration of his contract at AC Milan in the summer.

At the time Rangers manager Philippe Clement insisted the signing of Nsiala was with a view to the future, the defender instead spending the bulk of the season with the club’s B team.

But as Hamza Igamane begins to make a big impact at Rangers, opportunity could be about to knock for Clinton Nsiala as the Ibrox side lose a number of defensive options.

As Rangers await an update on the fitness of James Tavernier, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun heading into the clash with Dundee, Nsiala waits in the wings.