As preparations heat up for the highly-anticipated Old Firm clash, Rangers will be forced to take on Celtic without key players Jack Butland and James Tavernier, both sidelined due to injury.
Joining them on the sidelines are John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who will be spectators rather than contributors during the pivotal match.
In a recent update, Head Coach Philippe Clement provided insight into the situation of the players. He expressed doubt over the fitness of Leon Balogun, revealing that his participation remains uncertain as the team gears up for the January 2 showdown.
“We’ve unfortunately lost Tavernier, who picked up an injury towards the end of the Motherwell match,” Clement explained. “He might have carried on, but after a scan, it was evident that he has suffered significant damage and will be out for several weeks.”
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Former England International Butland Hospitalized Due to Internal Bleeding
A club statement released on Wednesday confirmed that Jack Butland will also miss the crucial fixture against Celtic. The statement read: “Rangers can confirm that goalkeeper Jack Butland is unavailable for tomorrow’s Old Firm showdown. He sustained an internal bleed in his leg, necessitating hospital treatment. Thankfully, he has been discharged and is on the mend. We all wish Jack a quick recovery.”
Reflecting on the team’s defensive woes, Clement also commented on John Souttar, stating, “No, John Souttar will be injured for several weeks. He won’t be part of the squad.” Regarding Kasanwirjo’s condition, he added, “Kasanwirjo is set for a consultation with a surgeon today, and we will have further updates over the weekend. Unfortunately, it seems to be a longer-term issue that poses a setback for everyone, particularly for him, as he was adapting so well to the team.”
As Rangers face this challenging period with injuries, fans will be hoping for a swift recovery for the sidelined players as they prepare to take on their arch-rivals in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
