Rangers captain James Tavernier has been ruled out of Thursday's Old Firm derby due to an injury that will keep him on the sidelines for “a few weeks”.
Tavernier will miss the visit of Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic after scan results showed 'obvious damage' sustained during Rangers' 2-2 draw with Motherwell.
The right-back has created 39 chances for Rangers in the league this season, a total surpassed only by teammate Vaclav Cerny (40) in the Scottish Premier League.
It presents Philippe Clement with a defensive dilemma, with John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo also missing with respective injury problems.
Rangers currently find themselves 14 points behind their Old Firm rivals in the Scottish Premiership, with defeat on Thursday seriously denting their title hopes this season.
But despite setbacks ahead of kick-off, Clement was hopeful Leon Balogun would return from his latest injury in time for the clash at Ibrox.
“James has suffered an injury,” said the Belgian. “We did a scan and there is obvious damage, and he will be out for a few weeks,” Clement said.
“It's a blow, and in that way we have already had a few blows in recent weeks and months. There is a small chance that Leon Balogun will return. We will see after his individual work.”
Clement is looking for a reaction from his players when his side were booed at half-time during the draw against Motherwell last time out.
But the Rangers boss will have to do something he has never done before in his managerial career, and that is beat Celtic.
Clement is yet to emerge victorious against Celtic in six attempts in all competitions in charge of the club (D2 L4).
The only manager to go that long or longer before winning an Old Firm derby (for both sides) was William Wilton at the Gers from 1890 to 1893 (first eight).
Rangers have also managed just one win in their last 14 meetings with Celtic in all competitions (D4 L9), a 3-0 win in the league in May 2023 under Michael Beale.
“The last two games we lost goals, a bit out of nowhere, not with really obvious mistakes or out of structure, not at all,” he insisted.
“In the last two games, every time they've had a shot on target it's almost been a goal. Those are the things that happen in football, but not two games in a row.”
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