Rangers injury list, for all that Philippe Clement has had to cope with having players missing, has improved and there was more good news this week.
For the first time since he arrived as manager, there are no problematic long-term issues in the squad – Neraysho Kasanwirjo can be sent back to Feyenoord and replaced – and the primary focus is on making sure those who are on their way back don’t suffer relapses.
Some players will always be injury prone, however, ahead of the trip to Perth to face St Johnstone, Rangers are looking as healthy as they have for some time.
Rangers injury update sees good news
The demolition of Nice hasn’t come with any side effects with those that featured all fit and available for selection and, given the level of performance, it would be a shock if Clement makes too many changes.
What Clement can do though, is call on the fresh legs of Ianis Hagi and Danilo, both of whom aren’t in the Europa League squad.
With games coming thick and fast between now and the next international break in March, Clement needs every player to be capable of contributing.
What has Clement said about the players who are missing?
According to the Gers gaffer, he is only a few weeks away from a fully fit squad:
“In that way, positive also. We spoke about that last season, we had big periods with 12 players out, long periods like that so Oscar (Cortes) did his first part of the training today so he will need still a few more weeks to be really ready to play games but it’s a positive thing,” said Clement providing an injury update.
“Tom Lawrence is also close, it’s in the next couple of weeks he will be back, Rabbi Matondo the same and we want to keep it in that way.”
As seen against Nice, good players like Ridvan Yilmaz make a difference, even if they are just coming off the bench and the more good players Clement has available, the better.
