Rangers could do with a lucky break or two with Philippe Clement appearing to be something of a jinx since moving to Glasgow.
The manager hasn’t quite lost the support, however, fans are far from happy with Clement as he struggles to implement a coherent game plan.
There are still injuries in the squad to contend with and the Rangers boss has a problem to solve as FCSB come to Ibrox for round three of the Europa League league phase.
Philippe Clement has wing problem to solve for Rangers
Creativity has seen domestic games be closer than they should be and, against better opposition, this only becomes harder.
Speaking ahead of last weekend’s shambles against Kilmarnock, Clement gave an insight into just how big an injury problem Rangers have:
“Luckily, no injuries from international duty.
“The only one is Ross (McCausland) but he had a small issue before the break, he is back in training but not certain to be available.
“(Ianis) Hagi is suspended. (Oscar) Cortes will be out for several weeks.
“Ridvan (Yilmaz) I expect back in training next week, (Rabbi) Matondo later on next week or the following week.
“Danilo is back training with the squad – we will see how fit he is for the weekend.”
This leaves Hamza Igamane, Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami as the only fit options for the wings, and two of them are already a square peg in a round hole.
McCausland should be closer to being able to start but seeing James Tavernier finish at Rugby Park in a more advanced position isn’t a good sign despite the academy graduate being on the bench.
A three of Nedim Bajrami, Kieran Dowell and James Tavernier is not the combination that most would pick to play behind the striker and yet that was the three tasked with opening up Kilmarnock.
Cerny will start by default against FCSB but Clement will be considering Bajrami’s better use of the ball to play centrally which could leave a vacancy on the left.
Ianis Hagi could have been Rangers difference maker
One player who would have made a difference is Ianis Hagi had his name been included in the Europa League squad.
Playing against a team from his homeland who were linked with a move for the Romania international in the summer would have been a tantalising prospect for the mercurial talent.
To make matters worse, Rangers have just wished Hagi happy birthday on social media as the 43-cap star turns 26.
He would have loved nothing better than to put in a match-winning performance in front of a packed Ibrox to fully announce his return to action for the Light Blues.
But, with two games left to play before Clement has the birthday boy at his disposal, the gaffer must find a solution from somewhere else.
