Rangers coach Mick Beale has confirmed that Scott Wright and Ianis Hagi could miss this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership clash with Ross County in Dingwall – raising fears both will also miss Thursday’s crunch Europa League tie with Alashkert in Armenia.
The attacking duo have been two of Rangers’ better players in recent weeks and losing both at the same time would come as a huge blow with the likes of Ryan Kent badly out of form.
Beale confirmed the pair would be assessed right up until the last moment before today’s game but insists the benefit of Rangers having a “strong squad” is others will be able to slot right into the side in their place.
“At the moment, there’s a lot of little things that we’re managing,” Beale told Rangers TV. “Playing with ten men for a period on Thursday night and having to force the game to get the win, one or two players got knocks.
“You could probably see that with Ianis and Scott Wright so we’ve been assessing them over the last 48 hours. That’s where Jordan Milsom and his department really come in to get people back on the pitch.
“There’s a lot going on with the squad that’s background noise. We’re managing one or two things that people won’t be aware of.
“But that’s fine. That happens at all times of the season. This is where other members of staff that people don’t see so much show their qualities, rehabbing these players and getting them back on the pitch.
“It’s very rare these days for professional players to go on the pitch 100 per cent fresh. That doesn’t happen often.
“At this moment, we’re assessing one or two players from Thursday night that maybe won’t be available for the next couple of games, unfortunately.
“But that’s the benefit of a strong squad; that other players will come in and show their worth.”
With the season’s first Old Firm clash to come next weekend too, Rangers will be desperate for both Kent and Wright to overcome their knocks and prove their fitness ahead of a massive week.
Suspension to Kemar Roofe in the Europa League also makes having at least on of the pair fit for the clash with Alashkert on Thursday vitally important as Rangers eye a fourth consecutive season in the group stages.
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