Regardless of the “miracle” at Ibrox, up to five Rangers players may miss the remainder of the season.
Connor Goldson has become the latest Rangers star to suffer an injury in a season marked by medical issues. Philippe Clement was astounded when he arrived into Ibrox to find a patchwork group lacking solid conditioning and suffering from injury after injury.
While the Belgian has put in a lot of effort since coming in October, injury issues continue to plague the club and pop up on a regular basis. Now, in a seven-man injury report, the Rangers boss has revealed that Connor Goldson will miss the remainder of the season, dealing a devastating blow to the team. Despite missing the previous two matches, Connor was anticipated to return for the run-in, and make no mistake, the vice-captain’s absence is difficult to bear.
But, as if things couldn’t get any worse on the injury front, Clement has confirmed that two more long-term absentees will miss the remainder of the season. Also, another two could be on top of them.
Goldson injured his knee on the training ground. Philippe Clement said during a pre-match press conference ahead of Kilmarnock’s Scottish Premiership visit on Sunday that Connor Goldson has a knee issue. While the Rangers manager announced that the defender will miss the remainder of the season, Connor will return in preseason.
Rangers have struggled with knee problems in recent seasons, losing Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence, and, most recently, Danilo to major ACL difficulties. Goldson’s problem, however, includes his medial ligament, which necessitates a six-week leave, possibly longer if surgery is required.
“There was a duel at training on Wednesday,” Clement explained. “A player landed on Connor (Goldson’s) knee, injuring him severely.
“He tried to continue but couldn’t, so we ran a scan and discovered that he has a tear in his medial ligament, so he will be out for the rest of the season.” “It’s obviously a blow. He played 48 games this season. So he’s been vital and has played well in several games. “He is also one of the team’s leaders, and he performed admirably in that capacity. “And that was also the first thing he told me: he wanted to be in the locker room for the following couple of games, even if he couldn’t play.
“I want to be there for and support the lads.So that’s a wonderful step on his part, and it demonstrates his dedication to this organization and club. “Of course it’s unlucky to lose him not but yeah it’s been the story of this season that players get injuries and then it’s about others to show their quality and to step up, what they did until now.” When asked about the duration of the ailment, Clement stated it’s a’miracle’ that the defender has played so many games this season. “Pre-season, he will be back,” Clement stated. “He also informed me that he’s glad because he missed practically all of the preseason last year.
“So it’s already quite a miracle that he played so many games and stayed fit for so long.” “This injury was extremely unlucky. In a duel, falling down with two players and someone landing on your knee is a common occurrence. Four more Rangers stars might miss the season. While Connor Goldson’s injury is devastating, Rangers’ issues do not stop there. Several players on the roster are currently nursing injuries, and it is uncertain when or how they will return.
Ridvan Yilmaz is the most likely to return of the remaining six players, with Ryan Jack a close second. “(Jack and Yilmaz) partially trained with the team,” Clement explained. “We’ll see tomorrow (if they’ll be fit for the match against Kilmarnock). “Ridvan perhaps, Ryan not yet. He’s too far away to attend a few training sessions and then be available for the squad. “For sure (Jack) will need more time than Ridvan but it’s normal also because Ridvan has been a long time out but less long than Ryan.”
However, the other four names with injury issues may not be as fortunate to appear again this season. While Clement remains hopeful that Abdallah Sima and Rabbi Matondo will return before the season’s end, South American duo Oscar Cortes and Danilo will miss the rest of the season. “(Sima) is out now individual and I hope to see him back before the end of the season but no timescale yet,” Clement went on to say. “Same thing for Rabbi Matondo.” Oscar Cortes and Danilo will no longer be available this season. Leon Balogun, John Souttar, and the out-of-sorts Ben Davies are the only senior centre-backs available for the final stretch.