The phrase ‘defensive injury crisis’ is enough to send a shiver down the spine of under-fire Rangers boss Philippe Clement.
At one point, Rangers were without John Souttar, Leon Balogun, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, James Tavernier and Dujon Sterling at the very same moment.
The emergence of Clinton Nsiala, while one of the bright sparks of 2025 so far, was brought about more through necessity than desire on Clement’s part.
And it rather summed up Rangers’ luck that, while John Souttar made his long-awaited return in the Europa League victory over Union Saint-Gilloise, that coincided with Leon King being forced to make way in the first-half with concussion.
The good news is that things are looking up, more bodies leaving the treatment room than going in the other direction.
Souttar is back. Clement expects Sterling and Balogun to return sooner rather than later, while King was in training last week.
The arrival of Rafael Fernandes on a short-term loan deal – Lille boss Bruno Genesio fears that Rangers agreement will backfire due to concerns over his own defensive depth – adds another option to Clement’s ranks.
Though it appears that even being mentioned in the same breath as the Glasgow giants these days is enough to put a player at risk of that dreaded injury curse.
Kevin Mantilla suffers ACL blow after Rangers interest
Gossip column regular Kevin Mantilla was again linked with Rangers during the January transfer window.
The youngster would later return to his native Colombia with Independiente Medellin instead, however, joining on loan from Argentine outfit Talleres de Cordoba. And, on only his second appearance for the club, Mantilla was hauled off with an injury which threatens to end his stay in Medellin before it really even begun.
According to reporter Pipe Sierra, Medellin is due to undergo an operation after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament. An injury which usually keeps players out for a period in the region of nine months.
Given that Mantilla’s temporary contract at Independiente Medellin is due to run until December, the Bogota-born 21-year-old faces a race against time if he is to add to a paltry tally of two appearances for El Rojo Paisa.
Still only 21 years of age, this is the first serious injury of Mantilla’s young career. What impact it has on his development remains to be seen – he was viewed as one of the premiere defensive talents in South America not so long ago – but the plus side is that the Talleres loanee still has more than enough of his nine lives left to bounce back and go on to enjoy a long and healthy career at the top level.
Philippe Clement had mixed news for Rangers fans last week
Back in Glasgow, Rangers have their own stricken Colombian in Oscar Cortes.
While Philippe Clement insists Rangers still plan to sign the Lens loanee permanently, Cortes appears no closer to returning from his latest injury setback.
“I don’t want to force my medical staff into a corner,” Clement said in the build up to that shock Scottish Cup defeat to Queen’s Park. “Oscar has proven [his talent]. So, it’s about us as a club getting him fit again. He’s still a young player. So, for sure he [come back and play again for Rangers] in the future.
“It’s different things that happen along the way. Different injuries, not connected with each other. Most of them are also out of contact [no-contact].
“So, I hope for Oscar that this one year that everything happens and, for the rest of his career, he will not have problems. Because it’s been mostly bad luck.”
“We have a few ones who will come back short-term,” Clement added, more positively. “Danilo will be back normally next week.
“I expect, a week after, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun to be back. Ridvan is back already in training. Leon King is also back in training after his conclusion. The others, it’s a little bit longer.”
