Rangers are set to face a vastly understrength Dundee United side next weekend, with nine members of their first-team squad in isolation following a Covid-19 outbreak.
Three Dundee United staff members recently returned positive tests and the entire coaching staff, including manager, Micky Mellon, have been forced into isolation [BBC].
No players have as yet tested positive, but it emerged on Friday that nine had been identified as close contacts of medical staff at the club’s St Andrews training base and have subsequently started 14-day isolation periods [Dundeeunitedfc.co.uk].
The affected players haven’t been named but with so many missing, the Terrors’ are highly unlikely to be able to field their strongest XI, while they may not even be able to fill the bench for Saturday’s trip to Livingston or for their home clash against the Gers.
United are currently in fifth in what is their first season back in the top flight and are unbeaten in their last five league matches, keeping three clean sheets in that time.
Former Gers striker Nicky Clark has been key to their recent strong form, scoring braces in recent wins over Ross County and Hamilton.
Next weekend’s fixture at Tannadice will the second time the two sides have locked horns in the Premiership this season.
Rangers triumphed 4-0 in the first meeting at Ibrox in September, with Ryan Kent, James Tavernier, Kemar Roofe and Scott Arfield all on the scoresheet.
