Rangers face being without an entire defence v Celtic

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Ibrox Noise

·1 gennaio 2025

Rangers face being without an entire defence v Celtic

Rangers are set to start January 2nd’s Old Firm potentially without almost all of manager Philippe Clement’s first-pick defence, with John Souttar, James Tavernier, and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all definitively out and a strong chance Leon Balogun is too.

This would leave Dujon Sterling, Leon King, Robin Propper and Jefte/Ridvan as Rangers’ only defensive options, an injury crisis akin to exactly what ex-manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst faced in autumn 2022.

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It certainly isn’t exactly what Rangers need going into a match that some are viewing as a dead rubber in itself already, and to say Rangers face an absolute critical must-win in this one is the understatement of the day.

Celtic already lead Rangers by an absurd 14 points, and defeat in this one for the home side unequivocally and definitively ends any lingering slim hopes of a remarkable turnaround. 17 points behind with January barely underway would signal the categorical end.

And going into this one without basically a single first-choice defender fit is probably not ideal preparation at all.

Clement said:

“James has picked up an injury. We took a scan and there is clear damage and he will be out for a few weeks. It’s a blow and we have had a few blows in that way the last weeks, the last months. There is a small chance Leon Balogun can return. We will see after his individual work.”

The chance of Balogun being fit is slim at best.

We have to say Kyogo Kuhn and Maeda are likely to have a field day with this defence.