As Rangers’ injury problems begin to mount, Philippe Clement has continued to rally the troops with the business end of the season looming large.
The Ibrox manager has been up against it with a series of medical issues since he came into the club failing to relent despite even his best efforts this season.
With Ryan Jack, Dujon Sterling, and Ross McCausland the latest names to join a swelling list, here we look at the quite remarkable 12 players who’re still in injury recovery.
These players are all at different stages of their recovery from injury issues and we’ll try to assess the situation for each player, and when they might be back.
Rangers injury latest
Ben Davies (back in squad – last seen 14/12/23)
- Ben Davies was last seen with the first team in the 3-2 victory away to Real Betis earlier in the season.
- The centre-back has been included on the bench in six of the last seven matches but is yet to play. Did play in a recent B Team bounce game.
- Has made only four Scottish Premiership appearances this season.
Leon Balogun (back in squad – last seen 03/02/24)
- Leon Balogun was last seen in the 3-0 Scottish Premiership victory at home to Livingston before going off with a facial fracture.
- The defender has been included in last five domestic squads but has not come off the bench despite no longer wearing facial protection.
- Not included in the European squad but did have run of eight starts in nine Scottish Premiership matches earlier in the season.
Dujon Sterling (awaiting update – last seen 10/03/24)
- Dujon Sterling was replaced in the first half after hobbling off in the eventual 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Hibs.
- Philippe Clement is awaiting an update on the utility man, who has emerged as a key performer in the Rangers team as of late.
- Scored his first professional goal in the 2-2 Europa League draw with Benfica and is considered a vital member of the squad.
Ryan Jack (awaiting update – last seen 10/03/24)
- Ryan Jack picked up his latest injury in the Europa League draw with Benfica and as a result missed the Scottish Cup clash with Hibs.
- Has been limited to only 11 Scottish Premiership appearances this season due to persistent injury issues.
- Out of contract in the summer with increasing doubts regarding a potential renewal.
Kieran Dowell (“two months” back in January – last seen 02/01/24)
- Last seen in the 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock before the winter break, Kieran Dowell had only started to impact the side after an injury earlier in the season.
- Has had his first season at Rangers badly disrupted by problems, limiting him to only 12 appearances for the club since joining.
- After the player’s absence from the club’s La Manga training camp was picked up by fans, Philippe Clement claimed a “long-term” injury would keep the midfielder out for around two months from mid-January, meaning a return should be close.
Todd Cantwell (“back soon” – last seen 18/02/24)
- The talismanic Todd Cantwell excited fans last week when he dropped a “back soon” injury update on social media.
- This comes after the player was injured following some rough treatment in the 3-0 win away to St Johnstone back in February.
- Back then Philippe Clement had claimed the midfielder would be out for three to four weeks with a return to the squad now seemingly imminent.
Abdallah Sima (on track – last seen 02/01/24)
- Having blasted 15 goals in the first half of the season, Rangers were devastated by the news a “severe” injury sustained whilst training at AFCON was to keep Abdallah Sima out for two-three months.
- Having sustained the problem in January, it is said that Abdallah Sima is on track and that Rangers “expect” he will play a big role in the title run-in.
- When that is going to be specifically, who knows, but the sounds around the situation suggests that Abdallah Sima could be back in the squad come the end of the international break.
Oscar Cortes (potentially out for season – last seen 28/02/24
- Just as Oscar Cortes was beginning to find his feet with Rangers, the young Colombian has been devastated by a muscle problem which could end his season.
- Whilst the surgery went well, we’re little over a week into a two-three month recovery which would essentially take us to May before we can expect the kid to play again.
- Rangers have an option-to-buy included in the loan deal with RC Lens with the situation putting any future transfer into major doubt.
Scott Wright (unknown – last seen 02/03/24)
- Despite coming off the bench late on in the 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Motherwell, Philippe Clement revealed that Scott Wright was injured ahead of the trip to Benfica.
- Also missing the Scottish Cup clash with Hibs at Easter Road, it is clear Scott Wright is carrying an issue but it is unclear the extent to which the injury will keep him out of the side.
- Having made 25 appearances for the club this season, Rangers’ wide options have seriously dwindled and we suspect Philippe Clement might be asked about the winger this week.
Ross McCausland (Awaiting update – last seen 10/03/23)
- Similarly to Dujon Sterling, Ross McCausland went off with an injury in the Scottish Cup victory over Hibernian.
- Speaking after the game, Philippe Clement was eager to reiterate that he would be waiting on a medical assessment before jumping to any judgement over the winger.
- McCausland – who has been Rangers’ breakthrough player this season – suffered a knock against Motherwell last weekend from which he has struggled to recover.
Danilo (potentially out for season – last seen 06/12/23)
- Danilo is another Rangers player who could be out for the season after having to undergo surgery, this time on the Brazilian’s knee.
- Having picked up the knock following a challenge in the 1-0 victory over Hearts at Ibrox in December, Danilo was only just returning after a facial fracture sustained v St Johnstone.
- Routinely posting injury updates on his official Instagram page, Danilo might be involved in the very late stages of the season but it remains doubtful.
Zak Lovelace (two months – last seen 07/10/23)
- Having been given a starting opportunity against St Mirren in Steven Davis’ interim stint in charge of Rangers, Zak Lovelace won the team a penalty and then went off on a stretcher.
- Regarded as one of the club’s top talents, the striker had been working his way back to fitness with B team before disaster struck again this month.
- Picking up yet another hamstring problem, reports have suggested the young striker will be out for a further two months.
