Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is hopeful talismanic skipper James Tavernier will come through two training sessions before Sunday’s Old Firm clash and put himself right into contention for a return to action against Celtic.
Tavernier has been stuck on the sidelines for a number of weeks, with teenage defender Nathan Patterson deputising, and Gerrard is waiting to make a “real late call” on whether to throw his captain into the Ibrox tie.
The Light Blues face losing Patterson to suspension following Sunday’s fourth-round cup clash, while Leon Balogun remains sidelined, leaving the Gers short of cover at right-back.
Tavernier will have full contact sessions with his team-mates today and tomorrow with an eye on Sunday’s clash – but Gerrard wasn’t willing to commit as the Rangers boss spoke to the media this morning.
“James will train with the team today,” Gerrard told Rangers TV.
“It’s full contact for the first time. Yesterday he trained but there were conditions on him and everyone else around him because it was his first time in and around bodies. He’ll train with full contact today.
“It’s a situation we’ll make a real late call on. We’ll see how he trains today and tomorrow, there’s two big sessions in terms of preparation. The good news is he’s on the verge and assuming he has two strong sessions will probably push me towards involving him but I’m not in a position to make that decision just yet because it’s Friday and we’ve got to train today and train tomorrow.
“I’d be making a real premature judgement on James.”
In other news, Rangers fans were loving it last night as Arsenal thrashed Slavia Prague in the Europa League
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
