As Rangers hobbled to the international break, a run of injury issues and depleted fitness levels had us feeling mixed about that Dundee call-off.
On one hand, Rangers have surrendered their top spot in the Scottish Premiership to Old Firm rivals Celtic, even if momentarily.
The Parkhead side had defeated St Johnstone the day before Rangers’ postponed trip to Dundee to open a one point gap at the top of the table.
But on the other, the Rangers team had begun to look increasingly lethargic as a bruising schedule compounded the extensive injury issues in a limited squad stretched to capacity.
The debate will continue about where and when the post-split Dundee fixture will be played but for the time being, who might be available for the visit of Hibs in a week and a half’s time?
Here’s the current picture from within the Rangers medical department.
Ryan Jack – return imminent
Ryan Jack is really running out of time for both Rangers and Scotland this season with years of injury problems still lingering in the background of his playing career.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been a solid performer for club and country when fit but he has not always been reliable when it comes to availability.
According to the Scotsman, the midfielder is expected to return when Rangers face Hibs at Ibrox and how he performs in the final furlong will likely decide his fate with both.
Last seen: 10/02/24 – 70’ for Rangers v Ayr United (2-0)
This season: 22 appearances (12 starts), two assists
Dujon Sterling – return imminent
Rangers’ all-action utility man Dujon Sterling has been a versatile option for Philippe Clement and was sorely missed in the second leg against Benfica.
However any absence is expected to be short-term and Rangers should welcome the right-back/midfielder/right-winger back into the squad.
It’s a welcome boost given Dujon Sterling’s qualities all over the park and something tells us the Chelsea academy graduate has a big role to play this season.
Last seen: 07/03/24 – 77’ for Rangers v Benfica (2-2)
This season: 26 appearances (10 starts), one goal
Ross McCausland – sent home from NI duties
Ross McCausland’s breakthrough season at Rangers has been hampered by a lingering injury sustained in that disappointing Premiership defeat against Motherwell.
The Gers winger has been limping through matches ever since and was this week withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad.
Whilst Ulster manager Michael O’Neill suggesting McCausland may well be fit for the trip to Scotland, it suggests Rangers will have the winger back after the break.
Last seen: 10/03/24 – 31’ for Rangers v Hibs (2-0)
This season: 30 appearances (16 starts), two goals, three assists
Kieran Dowell – ‘due’ back imminently
There are certainly no clues of substance when it comes to the mystery surrounding a second major injury to Kieran Dowell in his debut Rangers season.
The goalscoring midfielder has looked bright when he’s played but after sustaining an injury in September – and fighting his way back into the fold – has been out since the winter break.
At the club’s winter training camp, Philippe Clement suggested the player would be out for “two months” with a “long-term” injury. That brings us to right about now.
Last seen: 02/01/24 – 71’ for Rangers v Kilmarnock (3-1)
This season: 12 appearances (six starts), three goals
Abdallah Sima – early to mid April
Whilst we’re not sure Abdallah Sima is as close as Ryan Jack or Dujon Sterling to a return, the Senegalese winger is on his way back into the Rangers first team.
The Brighton loanee, 22, was finding his feet and form in Glasgow before suffering an injury on his recall to the Senegal team at AFCON back in January.
With estimates then suggesting it would be two-three months before he returned, given that the recovery is “going well” then it looks like we can expect a return by – at the latest – mid-April.
Last seen: 02/01/24 – 84’ for Rangers v Kilmarnock (3-1)
This season: 33 appearances (26 starts), 15 goals, two assists
Oscar Cortes – end of April into May
Oscar Cortes appeared to be a January solution to Rangers’ increasing injury problems in the forward line but soon succumbed to the rotten luck of the Ibrox medical department.
Having to undergo surgery on a “severe” issue sustained in February, whilst that went well Rangers are still assessing when the young Colombian winger is going to return to first-team action.
Signed on a loan-to-buy from RC Lens in January, the situation has raised major doubts over whether or not the Gers will stump up in the summer window.
Last seen: 28/02/24 – 70’ for Rangers v Kilmarnock (2-1)
This season: Seven appearances (four starts), one goal, two assists
Danilo – likely out for the season
If one injury situation summed up Rangers’ recent run of rotten luck in this department, it’s the knee injury sustained by Danilo.
The Brazilian was a £6m signing from Feyenoord in the summer and has twice been injured by some questionable treatment in the Scottish Premiership.
Suffering a facial fracture v St Johnstone, the forward then sustained a knee issue v Hearts which has all but ended his season and since then the striker has been graciously working himself back to fitness.
Last seen: 06/12/23 – 71’ for Rangers v Hearts (1-0)
This season: 21 appearances (ten starts), six goals, five assists
