As Rangers hammered Hearts at Ibrox, you could almost be forgiven for forgetting the impact of an early-season injury crisis on the club.
When Philippe Clement came into Rangers, the Gers were about two years into a devastating run of injury issues which at one point was so bad it effectively cost Giovanni van Bronckhorst his job.
Michael Beale was unable to arrest the slide and upon arrival in Glasgow, Philippe Clement was clear that in time he would sort out the stuttering injury mess he’d inherited at Rangers.
It’s an impossible task in four months but as Rangers find their swagger under the Belgian, the return of six other players to the squad spells bad news for the rest of Scottish football.
Ibrox firepower reinforced v Hearts
In the thumping victory over Hearts, Rangers played with a real attacking verve and impetus which has been sorely missing from the team in recent seasons.
There were plenty of goals and plenty of chances as the Ibrox side sent a message to the Scottish Premiership by dismantling it’s third force with consummate ease.
Coming off the bench in the match, the return of Kemar Roofe was a welcome sight to Rangers fans but surely a worrying one for Hearts.
The potent hitman is a poacher extraordinaire and only stands to substantially boost the options in the squad as he works his way back to fitness.
But Kemar Roofe is not the only player who is set to come back into the team in the coming weeks as momentum gathers behind Rangers’ title tilt.
More Rangers injury boosts to come
Rangers are also without Abdallah Sima – around five weeks into an eight to twelve week injury prognosis – with the Senegalese hitman on roaring form before picking up the problem at AFCON.
Netting 15 goals in the first half of the season, having the forward come back into the team in the business end of the campaign is a tantalising prospect.
Brazilian striker Danilo – a £6m summer signing from Feyenoord – is recovering from a more serious issue but may well get some minutes before the final whistle goes this season.
Philippe Clement has previously suggested that it could be the difference between winning a trophy and not.
Add into that the exploits of attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell – a talented player who has struggled with injury all season – and suddenly Rangers’ artillery starts growing into an arsenal.
Todd Cantwell, who has been on fine form in recent weeks, is also currently out of the team, whilst so is Welsh international winger Rabbi Matondo.
It means that against Hearts, Rangers put in a wonderful display without six potential match winners having full availability.
When the club get these options back fit, firing and fully available – we don’t have to tell you that it’s OVER for the rest of Scottish football.
