Rangers manager Philippe Clement reduced his squad by no fewer than six players in the January transfer window.
But Rangers also remain handicapped by injury problems with no fewer than six first-team Ibrox stars currently sidelined.
Andy Halliday reckons Rangers are a weaker team now than when they entered the window and Philippe Clement’s stretched squad will be feeling the Deep Heat come the visit of Queen’s Park.
Rangers will need to take the match seriously with the Scottish Cup the club’s only realistic chance of domestic silverware this season.
Following the exits of Rabbi Matondo, Kieran Dowell, Zak Lovelace, Alex Lowry, Robbie Fraser and Cole McKinnon, here’s the six other players Rangers could be without at Ibrox.
Leon Balogun
Leon Balogun has been a crucial player for Rangers on and off the park but the veteran centre-back has struggled with injuries at times this season.
At 36-years-old Balogun remains one of Rangers’ most dependable options but now faces stiff competition to get back into the team.
John Souttar is back in the Rangers side, whilst the emergence of Clinton Nsiala is supplemented by the availability of Robin Propper and Rafael Fernandes.
- Last seen: Manchester United v Rangers (23/01/25)
- Matches missed: 3
Dujon Sterling
Dujon Sterling was handed a new contract by Rangers earlier in the season but the versatile defender’s campaign has been badly interrupted with injury.
Sterling has still played his role in a stop-start campaign but we’ve not really seen the defender hit the heights of last season.
It’s been over a month since Sterling last turned out for the Ibrox club.
- Last seen: Hibernian v Rangers (05/01/25)
- Matches missed: 8
Ridvan Yilmaz
Ridvan Yilmaz remains at Rangers beyond the winter transfer window despite Besiktas making an approach for the Ibrox left-back.
Rangers rejected the £3.3m loan-to-buy offer for Yilmaz and Philippe Clement has regularly talked up the ability of the Young Turk.
But for Rangers fans, they’ve heard too much about ability and not seen it enough of it with injury plaguing Yilmaz’s two and a half years in Glasgow.
- Last seen: Manchester United v Rangers (23/01/25)
- Matches missed: 3
Connor Barron
Connor Barron played a big role at Rangers in the early part of the season but finds himself on the bench as Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin nail down the midfield positions.
Came off at half-time against Manchester United and looks a little shot of confidence, something this latest injury will not be helping.
- Last seen: Manchester United v Rangers (23/01/25)
- Matches missed: 3
Oscar Cortes
Oscar Cortes is the first name that comes to mind when you mention the word injury at Rangers and this season has been blighted by problems for the winger.
Rangers agreed a £4m loan-to-buy extension for Cortes in the summer despite the Colombian sending the last six months of last season on the treatment table.
With Rabbi Matondo out the door, Rangers are short in the position and Cortes still has everything to prove at Ibrox.
- Last seen: Rangers v St Johnstone (12/01/25)
- Matches missed: 6
Danilo
Brazilian striker Danilo is another who has seen his entire stint at Rangers ruined with injuries and the problems persist for the talented forward.
There was a brief moment this season when Danilo came back into the side but the striker has never quite managed to find top form at Ibrox amid a stop-start stint.
Out of the Europa League squad for a reason and, unfortunately, Rangers fans are yet to really see why we forked out £6m for the striker.
- Last seen: Rangers v Aberdeen (15/01/25)
- Matches missed: 3 (not in Europa League squad)
