Rangers have started well under new manager Philippe Clement, with four wins from five games and a place in the Scottish Cup final confirmed. The former AS Monaco manager has given the Scottish Premiership giants new life, and they may yet have a say in Celtic’s pursuit of a third consecutive title and their first since Brendan Rodgers’ return.
With games coming thick and fast, Clement will simply hope that the Gers can maintain their excellent form and unbeaten streak for as long as possible. That may be more difficult now that recent injury news has dealt the new manager a frustrating blow.
Rangers injury updates
Clement has already had to deal with several Rangers injuries in his short tenure. The Belgian has been without John Souttar, Borna Barisic, Dujon Sterling, Nicolas Raskin, and Rabbi Matondo at various points during a difficult few weeks in terms of consistent options. Those absences, however, make Clement’s start all the more impressive, and raise the question of how good the Gers will be when the new manager has a full squad at his disposal.
With Clement confirming more Rangers injury news, the answer to that question appears unlikely to come anytime soon. “Ahead of Prague, you want to build from game to game, you want to give players a chance,” the manager said, according to Four Lads Had a Dream. One player is unavailable, but I won’t say who. Minor [injury], but I might miss Thursday or Sunday.”
Having said that, only time will tell who Rangers will be missing for their next Europa League match, as Clement continues to be tight-lipped about his squad’s availability.
Rangers team news vs Sparta Prague
With the chance to move to the top of Group C with a win over Sparta Prague, Clement must make the right Rangers selection from the players at his disposal. Of course, the new manager has already faced the Czech Republic side in charge of the Gers, when they held them to a 0-0 draw in Prague in his second game in charge. Rangers are now on four points, two points behind group leaders Real Betis, and have the opportunity to make a statement halfway through the group stage.
Danilo and Ryan Jack may keep their starting spots after easing past Hearts to advance to the Scottish League Cup final last time out, while Cyriel Dessers may not.
If the Scottish giants can improve on their previous away day by defeating Sparta Prague, it will demonstrate how far they’ve come in such a short period of time since Clement’s arrival. Even without an injury that is currently unknown, the Gers have the chance to make it six games without defeat under their new manager.
