According to The Athletic, things have gone from bad to worse for Rangers with Ben Davies now being assessed for an injury complaint.
Salt rubbed in Rangers wound as Ben Davies injured
Well, things were already miserable enough at Ibrox after last night’s 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League, which ended any hopes Rangers had of progressing from Group C.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst went into battle against Jürgen Klopp with only Davies and 18-year-old Leon King available for selection in terms of his centre-back options.
Now, the Dutchman could be left with just King ahead of Sunday’s visit to Motherwell, as Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack also suffered injuries against the Reds.
John Souttar and Filip Helander also find themselves in the treatment room.
The Athletic believe Davies felt tightness in his muscle against Liverpool, but chose to play on.
What Rangers can do after Ben Davies injury
It is imperative that Rangers beat Motherwell with the Bears currently two points behind Celtic, although the centre-back crisis will worry Van Bronckhorst and the supporters.
If Davies is unable to play on Sunday, John Lundstram or James Sands are options to step in.
Academy prospect Lewis Mayo would’ve been in line for an opportunity, but he is currently on loan at Kilmarnock.
Van Bronckhorst cannot even consider a simple formation change to solve this crisis, as he could go into this weekend’s game with King as his only option in central defence.
A three-at-the-back system with King in the centre, flanked by Borna Barisic and James Tavernier, would be an unorthodox way to solve the issue against Motherwell, but it would be a major risk.
Doing that would also kill the threat Rangers possess from their technically gifted full-backs.
It’s a real headache for Van Bronckhorst – hopefully, Davies is named fit, or else Rangers have a problem.
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