As Rangers look ahead to the crunch Old Firm clash with Celtic in October, the Ibrox club’s fans are facing a nervous wait over four first-team players who may well all have started the match if fit.
Rangers trio Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe are all carrying medium-term knocks, whilst the next fortnight will decide once and for all if Alfredo Morelos is to leave during this transfer window.
With just over four weeks to go until Steven Gerrard’s charges travel across the city, it’s a worrying situation with all four possessing potentially match-winning qualities.
Midfielder Jack netted the winner in that iconic Ibrox victory in December 2018 and his influence in the middle of the park will be a miss in the next few matches.
Often not getting the praise he deserves, the selfless middleman is one of the first names on Gerrard’s team-sheet and the club is unsure about how long it could take for him to return to action.
Steven Gerrard told the press the knock could be up to four weeks last week but admitted “it’s difficult to say” for sure.
It was announced Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo could face four to six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle complaint about a fortnight ago on a timeline which would see him return just before the Celtic clash.
But the Nigerian international was left out of his country’s squad for their matches in the next international break – which is just before the Old Firm – in ominous news for Gers fans.
Rangers boss Gerrard revealed in his pre-match press conference looking forward to the match with Willem II that £3.5m summer signing Kemar Roofe will also be out over the next few weeks.
Forward Roofe felt a twinge in his calf against Lincoln Red Imps, with the player missing the weekend’s match with Hibs ahead of a scan.
Gerrard said the striker has “an outside chance” of making the Ross County game but will “probably” not be back until “after international duty” [Glasgow Times].
Rangers striker Morelos is also reportedly the subject of renewed interest from Ligue 1 side Lille with Steven Gerrard saying “there are a lot of eyes on him” ahead of the clash with Willem II.
