Scottish Premiership

Five Rangers players are out of the Old Firm clash against Celtic due to a shock injury crisis at Ibrox.

Published

3 months ago

January 2, 2025

Rangers manager Philippe Clement is grappling with a significant injury crisis ahead of the crucial Scottish Premiership showdown against Celtic.

The Ibrox side will be without several key players, compounding the pressure on Clement, who has yet to secure a victory against their Old Firm rivals.

Trailing 14 points behind Celtic in the league and dropping five points in their last two matches, Rangers are in desperate need of a victory to ease the growing scrutiny on their manager.

Defensive Woes Deepen for Rangers

The injury situation has left Rangers with a depleted defense, as multiple key players are ruled out of the clash.

James Tavernier: The team captain will be sidelined for several weeks following an injury sustained during the 2-2 draw with Motherwell.
Jack Butland: Rangers’ first-choice goalkeeper is out after suffering an internal bleed, resulting in hospitalization.
John Souttar: The central defender remains unavailable for the game.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo: Sidelined with a season-ending injury earlier in the campaign.
Leon Balogun: Has a slim chance of being fit but is unlikely to feature.

Doubts Over Attacking Options

In addition to the defensive crisis, doubts remain over the availability of several attacking players:

Tom Lawrence: The Welsh playmaker is ruled out, adding to Rangers’ woes.
Ianis Hagi: Missed the match against Motherwell due to illness, and it’s unclear if he will recover in time for the Old Firm.
Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo: Both are returning from injuries, and their fitness levels remain uncertain.

As Rangers prepare for one of the most pivotal fixtures of the season, Clement faces the daunting task of rallying a diminished squad against their fiercest rivals. With the stakes at an all-time high, anything short of a victory could significantly impact Clement’s future at Ibrox.