Ibrox Noise mentioned a few days ago about a positive problem Steven Gerrard had, in that effectively Rangers have five centre backs and just two slots.

However, from absolutely nowhere, that has been potentially whittled down to just two after Leon Balogun picked up a knock during Nigeria’s implosion to Sierra Leone and had to be withdrawn.

George Edmundson remains suspended after his recent stupidity, while Croat giant Niko Katic remains at least a month away from first team football.

Which could well leave Stevie with literally two fit and available CBs after the break in Filip Helander and of course Connor Goldson.

It’s not a killer blow, because both of these two have been very good and very consistent this season, but the depth is definitely being stretched.

There are a number of solutions to this unfortunate situation and Ibrox Noise takes you through them:

1: A reprieve for George Edmundson. He’s a decent defender and he can certainly handle the SPL – he may find himself deployed more now, and brought out of his suspension. He’s probably learned his lesson and desperate times call for desperate measures.

2: Calvin Bassey. He’s been great as a backup LB but he’s also well known for being capable at CB. Stevie trusts him and he may well get used as an auxiliary CB for a while.

3: Leon King. The youngster is a prize of Auchenhowie and might just find himself promoted.

So it’s really not that much of a crisis. And even then we don’t know Balogun’s prognosis, so he could actually end up ok on his return to Ibrox.

So yes, not ideal, injuries never are, but we have five CBs for a reason.