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News
‘Pushing hard’: Rangers injury state as key players battles to be fit for Celtic tie
Rangers are set to be without two defenders ahead of this weekend’s Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Celtic.
Captain James Tavernier has been out injured since sustaining a knee injury in the 4-3 Europa League victory against Royal Antwerp in February, while Leon Balogun missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Hibs at Ibrox after picking up an injury to his calf and achilles in training the previous day.
Balogun would have been an option at centre-back alongside Connor Goldson, and having deputised at right-back on occasion would have provided cover for Nathan Patterson.
Patterson faces a six-match ban due to his breach of Covid-19 protocols in attending a party during lockdown, but he will be free to play against Celtic due to his appeal being heard two days after the game is played.
Aside from Croatian Niko Katic, who has missed the entirety of this campaign through injury, Steven Gerrard has no other defensive injuries to contend with going into Rangers’ fourth derby of this season.
Elsewhere, however, Ryan Jack remains sidelined thanks to a calf problem that arose in February’s 4-1 win against Dundee United.
As quoted by , Gerrard said:”James has again had a good couple of days since we last spoke and he’s pushing hard to be involved at the weekend. We’ll only do that if he is ready, we won’t force that.
“He’s been out too long for us to force that.
“He’ll have to show this week that there’s more progression and get him out amongst the team at some point if he’s to earn a place in the squad
“Unfortunately, Leon is going to be out. He felt a calf/achilles area yesterday morning and left the training session.
“Until we get the scan result we won’t be able to know the outcome of that. But he’s limping about, which tells you he has obviously little chance of making next weekend.”