In many ways, Rangers’ biggest adversary for this split is not going to be any of our opponents, it will be ourselves. And in ourselves, we refer to the dire Rangers injury crisis that has suddenly hit at just about the worst possible time. Celtic, for their part, have gone all season missing at least two of their best players in Jota and Carter-Vickers. They have lost one or two more, especially Johnston.
A season spared, until now
Rangers this season haven’t really had the critical injury crisis that we normally would have. We have had some periods of losing a few players, but very rarely have those players been critical. We have not lost too many of our key men at pivotal junctures. That has suddenly changed big time.
Naderi blow up front
Ryan Naderi, for a start, while not necessarily impressing Ibrox Noise, has shown hard work rate. He has been able to be a nuisance up front. While we can’t exactly say he’s scoring a lot, he’s causing havoc and working as a grafter. That is something very useful, and to lose him now for the rest of the season, as it has been pretty much more or less confirmed, is a dire state of circumstances for Rangers.
Limited options in attack
We are therefore down to just two strikers, neither of whom score many goals either. Miovski and Chermiti have far from impressed this season.
Defensive crisis deepens
But it’s at the back that the real dire Rangers injury crisis problem kicks in, and that, of course, is Rommens. The outstanding Belgian left-back has been by far Rangers’ best signing for many, many a season, and has slipped into Rangers’ rear guard like a glove. The reality is, losing him for at least the next two or three matches in itself is a big, big blow.
Timing could not be worse
He is slated to return at the worst case in the middle of May, or at best case at the tail end of April. But he will be out for quite a little while, and this is the worst period to lose your best player. Just like Celtic have lost their star full-back in Johnston, Rangers have lost ours in Rommens.
Impact on the left flank
You could say that evens that one up, but of course that’s not the way that fans will see it. romnens is a major reason that Rangers have been so successful down the left-hand side. It’s why Mikey Moore has shone so well this calendar year. We’re sure the fans have noticed that, right?
System disruption
Yes, indeed, with the proper support at the rear guard, with Rommens’ overlapping and support runs, Moore has been able to interlink and get support down that side. It’s meant that he has shone. The same applied to Oliver Antman in the one match he played alongside romnens. He suddenly looked the finished superstar that we thought we’d signed.
A huge absence
Of course, he then lost his place, as has been the case under Rohl, but nevertheless, Rommens’ loss is huge. Is it a game-changer? Unfortunately, yes it is.
Mikey and Andreas
Alas it doesn’t end there, because Mikey Moore and Andreas Skov Olsen are also doubts at best for the weekend, meaning all four of Moore, Skov Olsen, Naderi and Rommens are unavailable or unlikely.
Warning signs already there
We only just scraped a victory against the weakest team of the lot in Dundee United at part of the final seven fixtures without Rommens alone. Meghoma may be okay, but he’s nowhere near the level of Rommens, and that is a huge loss for Rangers to withstand.
Title in the balance
But all four? We do not know if dire Rangers injury crisis is going to cost the title but it may.