9 Rangers players unavailable for Michael Beale as Ibrox injuries continue

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9 Rangers players unavailable for Michael Beale as Ibrox injuries continue
Rangers' German-born Croatian striker Antonio Colak (L) and Rangers' Scottish defender Leon King takes part in a team training session at the Rangers Training Centre in Milngavie, on October 31, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group A football match against Ajax. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

As Rangers prepare to face Pittodrie in yet another must-win match, what exactly is the state of injuries at Ibrox?

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A week or so ago it seemed like a sudden injury clear-up was underway and new manager Michael Beale was ‘magically’ getting players back, but that seems to have been a false dawn and the situation persists.

So Ibrox Noise takes you through a run down of where we are injury and illness-wise, and sums up what we think the squad tonight is.

Goals is fine, thankfully, no injuries or illness in there. McGregor will start.

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Defence is also looking better. James Tavernier may be carrying a long-term issue, but it’s not stopped him from playing, Connor Goldson is fit again and ready, so is Ben Davies, while Leon King and James Sands are also ready. John Souttar and Filip Helander remain unavailable. Adam Devine, however is the team’s only option at left back with Ridvan still out and Borna still in Croatia.

In midfield absolutely everyone is fit, shock horror, aside Steven Davis, who almost certainly wouldn’t have played tonight anyway. John Lundstram does have a tiny niggle but it’s long term and he manages it. Ryan Jack is close to where he used to be fitness-wise but it depends on where he can get form-wise. Nnambi Ofoborh remains AWOL.

Attacking midfield? Malik Tillman is fit, and Alex Lowry is on standby, while Scotty Arfield completes the options. Ianis Hagi won’t be available till February at the earliest. Tom Lawrence remains out.

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Wings? Absolutely everyone is available, with all attackers fit – Ryan Kent, Scott Wright, Fashion Sakala, Kemar Roofe and Rabbi Matondo. So no issues there.

Up front it’s Zak Lovelace and Alfredo Morelos, because Antonio Colak is still out with a minor calf strain. Should be back for Friday.

So, in a easy-to-digest format:

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Unavailable:

John Souttar, Filip Helander, Ridvan Yilmaz, Borna Barisic, Steven Davis, Nnambi Ofoborh, Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence, Antonio Colak.

Available… well, everyone else. It’s not ideal to have such a rampant ‘unavailable’ list but the two big ones to have available that make such a difference are Goldson and Davies.

Still, nine players on the ‘unavailable’ list is not great, and hopefully by January a lot of these are back.

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