Rangers have been handed a major injury boost by the imminent return of striking duo Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak, whilst summer signing John Souttar won’t be too far behind them.
The news comes via Ibrox manager Michael Beale, who once again was comfortable parting with a substantial update regarding a range of issues in his latest press conference.
Injuries have plagued the Ibrox side all season long and fans had previously grown frustrated with the vague and tight-lipped approach adopted by Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Rangers injury boosts around Souttar, Roofe and Colak
Speaking ahead of the clash with Motherwell, Michael Beale confirmed that both Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak were available for selection but suggested that he will be easing them back into the squad.
Roofe has been sidelined virtually all season long with the striker only making two substitute appearances this season; in October’s League Cup win over Dundee and Premiership draw with Livingston.
The Ibrox manager also revealed that summer signing and Scotland international centre-back John Souttar – who hasn’t been seen since the first game of the season – is going “great guns” and is back on the grass after yet another injury problem
The former Hearts defender should be ready to return come the end of January, with Ibrox goalkeeper Allan McGregor also back after coming down with the flu.
“Roofe and Colak have trained so it’s up to me if I select them or not,” said Beale [Rangers].
“It’s fair to say they are not 100 percent fit because they have been out for a while. In Kemar’s case a lot longer than Antonio but they have trained the last two days which is pleasing.
“It’s a case of whether I need them now or if I can top them up before a big January, a huge January.
“John Souttar isn’t a million miles away either. We should see him by the back end of January which is great news. He is going great guns and is out on the grass now, although he’s not training with the team yet.
“He’s in a good place so I’m delighted with that. Allan McGregor is fine. He’s just had the sniffles but he’s fine now. We’ve had a few players off with it.”
Whilst John Souttar is still in recovery from injury, we’ll reserve judgement on what impact the former Dundee United man can have on the side until he is making regular appearances for Rangers.
But the return of Kemar Roofe and Antonio Colak represent major boosts in particular for Michael Beale and the two will add firepower to the Rangers front line.
Any team in Scotland would miss around £5m of striking talent (Roofe £3.5m, Colak £1.8m) and whilst Kemar has barely played, Antonio’s 11 Premiership strikes in 14 matches shows how big an impact he can have at this level.
But only one of these players make our predicted Rangers starting XI for the match.
