Rangers are set to jet out to Spain for a warm-weather winter training camp on Wednesday morning – with all eyes on who jets out to the continent.
There are already several sub-plots heading into the hotly-anticipated stint in La Manga with Philippe Clement claiming the club’s squad better be ready for some one-on-ones.
But whilst the Belgian boss will be looking his charges in the eye as he throws down the title gauntlet, Rangers fans will have an eye of their own on who climbs aboard Bear Force One this week.
In an update on the club’s official website, Rangers revealed all the details of the official winter training camp which will see the first team squad head out on Wednesday.
Here’s our run-down of what Rangers fans can expect from the winter break.
Returning Rangers to warm weather training camp?
Heading into the winter break, several of the club’s first-team stars were carrying injury issues and Rangers fans will be flicking through the snaps at Glasgow Airport to see if any head out to Spain.
Nicolas Raskin made his return to the team against Kilmarnock just before the break, whilst Borna Barisic, Ben Davies, Ryan Jack, Tom Lawrence, Kemar Roofe, and Danilo are all still sidelined.
With the severity of the injuries to each player varying substantially, it’ll be interesting to see who climbs, or hobbles, aboard the carrier jet to Europe.
Surprise additions to Rangers winter training camp?
Rangers fans might also have one eye on any potential new additions who’ve snuck aboard without their noticing this January with the club now linked to over 11 names this window.
Whilst we’re certain the club’s only January signing at the time of writing will be on board – that being Wolves loanee Fabio Silva – it wouldn’t be the first time we saw a triallist or two join a Rangers winter training camp. Matt Polster anyone?
On top of that, there might be some youth players or surprise inclusions as Philippe Clement runs the rule over the resources he has available to him at Ibrox.
Surprise exclusions from Ibrox camp?
Finally, we suspect it might be just as much about who doesn’t board the plane to Spain as it is about who does with Ridvan Yilmaz the name on everyone’s lips at present.
The Turkish international left-back is reportedly bound for Verona as his short-lived love affair with Rangers prepares to end like a bad reenactment of Romeo and Juliet.
But could there be another surprise exclusion from Rangers’ training camp trip to Europe which sends journalists scrambling?
You can be rest assured we’ll be taking notes.
