Rangers will be boosted by the return of ‘four or five’ players for Sunday’s Old Firm clash with Celtic, assistant manager Gary McAllister has confirmed.
The Gers were missing a number of senior players – and manager Steven Gerrard – for tonight’s Europa League clash against Alashkert in Armenia but McAllister is confident the Light Blues will have several of those who were left at home available for Sunday.
James Tavernier, Allan McGregor, Scott Wright, Kemar Roofe, Ryan Kent, Calvin Bassey and Jon McLaughlin all remained in Scotland for various reasons as the Gers secured their place in tomorrow’s group stage draw.
McAllister also confirmed the Gers had a ‘clean bill of health’ after a bruising draw in Armenia saw Scott Arfield, Robby McCrorie and Joe Aribo pick up knocks.
“We will have everybody who was here tonight – and will be bolstered by another four or five, by my count,” the Gers number two said.
“We’ve got players who have been dealing with Covid issues. We’ve got players who have been suspended.
“And we’ve got some players who have been carrying some little niggling injuries. So we’ll be well-bolstered for the weekend ahead.
“There was a wee bit of concern at half-time that Scott Arfield got a smack on the toe, having received one earlier. That was a double blow.
“But everybody is fine. Joe (Aribo) and Robby (McCrorie) are fine. It’s a clean bill of health so far.
“We will get the recovery right. We feel this is the best way to do this, leading into this game.”
With both Rangers and Celtic already having lost a game in the league so far this season, neither will want to lose ground to the other in the title race.
Rangers will have a chance to recover before returning to Glasgow following a gruelling 90 minutes in the Armenian heat so the possibility of ‘four or five’ players being available again is a big boost.
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