Stevie down to 15 players? Injury concerns at Ibrox

Steven Gerrard has refused to rule out either Leon Balogun or Alfredo Morelos for Thursday UEL opener with the Red Imps, but winger Brandon Barker and midfielder Ryan Jack almost definitely will not make it.

They add to Nikola Katic, Allan McGregor, Jordan Jones, Jermain Defoe and Joe Aribo as either major doubts or definite absences for this one, meaning while Stevie’s resources are stretched thinner, there should still be plenty in the tank to face the conquerors of Celtic.

McLaughlin, Tavernier, Helander, Goldson, Edmundson, Barisic, Bassey, Davis, Kent, Kamara, Stewart, Arfield, Itten, Hagi and Roofe are definitely available and while that’s a pretty thin group (just 15) it has enough about it to negotiate the home side.

But, no denying Rangers’ squad is not in the best condition at present, and while some signings are being worked on, at this exact moment, a squad of effectively around 15 definitely fit senior players is a mini crisis.

While youth players like Patterson and Barjonas not to mention Mayo and King could also be drafted in (we’re not sure on the rules of eligibility deadline, thanks to the global situation the usual rules don’t seem to apply any more) the main senior squad right now numbers only 15, albeit with others potentially available if luck swings our way.

But it’s still far from ideal.