Philippe Clement could do without having so many of his Rangers players injured going into the last 16 Europa League tie with Benfica.
The Gers boss won’t just be worried about his squad picking up more knocks though with one player in particular a worry going into the double-header.
James Tavernier is one yellow card away from a suspension which could lead to Philippe Clement having to make do without Rangers talisman for such a big game.
James Tavernier walking suspension tightrope for Rangers
The skipper’s record in the Europa League is incredible.
With 20 goals in all European competitions, he sits just one behind the legend that is Ally McCoist.
Obviously, most of McCoist’s career was spent playing straight knockout formats in European football, however, he still had a good few years after the Champions League went to a group stage in 1992/93.
Seven of Tavernier’s goals came in the run to the Europa League final in 2022 when he finished as the tournament’s top goalscorer and with a place in the team of the year.
Had he picked up a winner’s medal, the player of the tournament would surely have followed too.
With 21 goals and 10 assists this season, Philippe Clement won’t want to be without his main man as Rangers look to continue their impressive Europa League record.
After two bookings in the group stages though, as per UEFA regulations, Rangers would have to make it to the semi-finals before one of his cards is knocked off.
By that stage, players can’t miss the final due to yellow cards anyway as explained by UEFA:
“Exceptionally, after the completion of every two rounds in a UEFA club competition (i.e. UEFA Champions League and/or UEFA Europa League and/or UEFA Europa Conference League) in which a player was registered on a club’s list and eligible to play, the number of yellow cards he received that did not result in a repeated caution suspension is reduced by one.”
“In addition, all yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals.”
No other Rangers players are walking a similar tightrope although, Connor Goldson, having been suspended already, only needs two cards to miss a game.
Should he return to fitness and Rangers are still in the competition, Abdallah Sima is in the same boat as Tavernier.
Until Philippe Clement starts to get players back, he will want to avoid having any more Rangers players sitting in the stands.
Hopefully, James Tavernier is on his best behaviour.
