Rangers’ injuries and suspensions against Villarreal are starting to become a huge concern, and here we look at that list in full.
It wasn’t long ago we were salivating at the prospect of the La Liga side pitching up on Thursday night with a weakened team. They had yet to win a game in their domestic league, whilst a host of talent were crocked.
Yet, in recent times, it appears as if Rangers are starting to catch up with them in that regard. Steven Gerrard is going to be without a host of talent for the trip to Spain, and here, we discuss it in full.
Firstly, the biggest disappointment is that Ryan Jack won’t be available. When he’s on his game, he’s a composed and aggressive performer for the Gers. He’s come on once more this season under Gerrard, but is struggling for that consistency in being injury-free.
There’s no denying that if Jack had made the squad then he would’ve been starting on Thursday. The Scotland international is just too big a player to let sit on the bench. Unfortunately for Rangers, a calf injury has done him in for this one.
Two out with calf injuries
But Jack isn’t the only one struggling with a calf complaint ahead of the trip to El Madrigal. New signing Gareth McAuley will also miss out with the exact same injury. The Northern Irish international only signed for the club two weeks ago, but supporters are yet to see him in action. The centre-back wouldn’t have started in Spain regardless, but having him for back-up is always ideal.
Alfredo Morelos is perhaps the biggest disappointment for Thursday night. The only reason he isn’t going to feature in this huge clash is down to his own stupidity.
The Colombian forward was sent off against Ufa in the playoff round for having a verbal spat with the referee. It was needless, careless, and costly for Rangers. Kyle Lafferty will have to step in after overcoming his own injury concern to feature against Dundee.
Outside of that, both Graham Dorrans and Jordan Rossiter are still out with injuries respectively. Rossiter is that much of a concern that he hasn’t even been named in the squad regardless.
Ovie Ejaria will hope to overcome a slight knock to feature against Villarreal. If he doesn’t, it will take the total number of absentees to five from the squad selected for the group stages.
It’s an unfortunate scenario given how close the manager was to a near fully-fit squad. It looks like, however, Rangers are going to have to do things the hard way.
