Steven Gerrard has confirmed a further injury blow for Rangers’ defence after the latest name to be added to the treatment table in Nigeria’s Leon Balogun.

After coming off on Thursday for a combination of tactically and injury wise, the big stopper is almost certainly ruled out for the trip to Livi, with Nathan Patterson a definite starter at RB.

Balogun’s absence creates a small problem, with Rangers now down to just three CBs, in Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Jack Simpson, with backup provided from Calvin Bassey, who also deputises for first choice LB Borna Barisic.

The bigger issue is RB – with captain James Tavernier out for a good 10 more days at least, Nathan Patterson is now the single senior RB Rangers have available on any level, and while that is in itself manageable, an injury or knock to the young lad gives Rangers a huge problem.

The only other player Rangers have with any experience at RB is Ryan Jack, and he too is injured, so if something was to happen to Patterson, and we sure hope it doesn’t, Rangers would have to switch to a 3 at the back or put a Bassey or Simpson a tad out of position on that side.

It’s not ideal, and Balogun’s presence was to create depth, but unfortunately the former Wigan man has been unable to sustain any fitness at Ibrox, picking up knocks and tweaks more often than Rangers would like.

And now it’s a real issue should Nathan Patterson get a knock as well.

Let’s hope not.