Rangers manager Philippe Clement will be looking forward to hopefully getting some of his most long term injured stars back to full team fitness over the next fortnight.
Time is the only healer when it comes to injury woes and Rangers have two weeks to get their squad in tip-top shape ahead of a brutal four and a bit month run between late November and March.
With the games set to come thick and fast, Rangers will need all the help they can get as the under-fire squad prepares for the biggest test of their credentials to date.
Here’s the injury state of play at Ibrox and when the club’s supporters can expect some of the team’s most expensive players back in amongst the matchday squad.
Ridvan Yilmaz
Rangers fans hoped they might’ve seen Ridvan Yilmaz before the November international break with the Turkish left-back back in the matchday squad.
But despite being on the bench for the Europa League clash with Olympiacos, Ridvan Yilmaz was nowhere to be seen as Rangers overcame Hearts at Ibrox before the break.
It’s left some scratching their heads over the defender who hasn’t been seen since being stretchered off in the 2-0 Champions League QR3 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv.
Should be ready to return for Rangers come the visit of Dundee United to Ibrox on Saturday 23rd November.
Last seen: 13/08/24 – Dynamo Kyiv (H) – Champions League
Injury type: Thigh/muscle
Matches missed: 16
Expected return: 23/11/24 – Dundee United (H) – Scottish Premiership
Rabbi Matondo
Another amongst the Rangers complement who is close to a return, Rabbi Matondo hinted back in early October that he was ready to return to playing.
But over one month and there is still no sign of the pacey winger, who was last seen in the 3-0 Scottish Premiership defeat to Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Whilst Matondo has been spotted back in Rangers training, the 24-year-old is yet to be included in a matchday squad and this international fortnight is a big one in terms of regaining match fitness.
Philippe Clement confirmed there will be a friendly for those on the periphery of the squad and we reckon Rabbi Matondo is set to be included in that number.
Last seen: 01/09/24 – Celtic (A) – Scottish Premiership
Injury type: Hamstring
Matches missed: 13
Expected return: 23/11/24 – Dundee United (H) – Scottish Premiership
Tom Lawrence
Rangers’ latest injury blow, Philippe Clement confirmed Tom Lawrence is set to spend ‘four to six weeks’ on the sidelines at Ibrox.
Whilst you can safely assume we’re looking at the latter with regards Lawrence’s stint in the physio room, injuries have plagued the Welshman’s time in Glasgow to date.
It also doesn’t bode well for this prognosis that both Ridvan Yilmaz and Rabbi Matondo have substantially overrun their initial evaluations.
With Tom’s first two seasons devastated by injury problems, the impact of those issues have taken their toll on the talented attacking midfielder’s mobility.
Rangers are set to be without Tom Lawrence until mid-December on the current prognosis but even when he returns, experience has told us it will take time for the 30-year-old to find his form and fitness.
Last seen: 03/11/24 – Motherwell (N) – Premier Sports Cup
Injury type: Unknown
Matches missed: 2
Expected return: 21/12/24 – Dundee (H) – Scottish Premiership
Oscar Cortes
The situation with Colombian winger Oscar Cortes is one of the most frustrating situations for Rangers supporters this season.
It’s also one of the most predictable.
Signed on loan from RC Lens in January, 20-year-old Cortes started brightly but was forced to go under the knife when he was injured at Rugby Park in March.
Despite this, Rangers signed a £4m loan-to-buy deal with the Ligue 1 side to sign Oscar Cortes and no-one at Ibrox appeared to flag the South American winger as high-risk.
Pulling up on the opening day of the season against Hearts, Cortes was injured again in the 3-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Dundee United in September and hasn’t been seen since.
The situation has heaped the scrutiny on both Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement for sanctioning the deal, with Rangers ‘looking into the situation’ as a result.
There has been no official suggestion from the club as to when we can expect to see Cortes back playing, so it’s safe to assume the kid is out for the long-haul.
Last seen: 21/09/24 – Dundee (H) – Premier Sports Cup
Injury type: Unknown
Matches missed: 11
Expected return: Unknown
