Rangers have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Boxing Day Premiership fixture against Hibernian, with Ryan Jack ruled out through injury [Glasgow Times].
Jack has been a key part of the Gers midfield since his move from Aberdeen in 2017 and Steven Gerrard has a huge amount of trust in the Scotland international.
However, he’s been out of action since sustaining an injury in the 4-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox on 22 November.
It was hoped that he would be fit in time to feature on Boxing Day, but Gerrard has ruled the 28-year-old out of a tenth successive game.
“Unfortunately not, no,” said Gerrard when asked whether or not Jack would be available [Glasgow Times].
“It has taken a little bit longer than we thought so that is just not clear at the moment. I don’t really want to rush that so he won’t be available for the next one.”
There was more positive news on Leon Balogun, though.
The centre-back picked up a head knock in the League Cup defeat at St Mirren earlier in the month and missed out on the home fixture against Motherwell three days later.
He returned to the bench for the trip to St Johnstone in midweek, though, and is in contention to start against Hibs.
“Leon is fine,” added Gerrard. “He could have come on on Wednesday night and he has done all the protocols in terms of getting a bang on your head. He is all clear to go.”
It promises to be a tough game for Rangers despite their outstanding home record so far this season.
The Gers have won all nine of their league fixtures at Ibrox, scoring 31 goals and conceding just once.
Yet, they drew 2-2 at Easter Road in September and Hibs come into the contest in excellent form, having won five of their last six matches in all competitions.
Here’s our Rangers Predicted XI for the Boxing Day clash.
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