The precise degree of John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe’s injury is still unknown to Rangers ahead of their forthcoming Old Firm match at Celtic Park.
The two were substituted out of the crucial top-of-the-table match on Saturday, December 30, after being forced off during the team’s 2-0 victory against St Johnstone at Ibrox in the middle of the week.
Roofe’s first start under Clement lasted barely 15 minutes before he was substituted at halftime due to an ankle injury he sustained from a tackle that resulted in Saints player Diallang Jaiyesimi receiving a red card in the 33rd minute after a VAR check. Roofe is still prone to recurrent injuries.
Due to a string of injuries this season, midfielders Nico Raskin, Ryan Jack, and Tom Lawrence are presently out for Rangers, along with forward Danilo, who won’t return until after the Christmas break.
Neither Lundstram nor Roofe will be available for the trip to Motherwell on Sunday and manager Philippe Clement he is running out of options for his starting XI ahead of a crucial run of four fixtures in 10 days over the festive period.
“Lundstram and Roofe are both not available for Sunday,” Clement said. “To say how long is difficult for the moment, we are still waiting on results of scans. There are not a lot of options, we have to look at what is best for the team.
“Players playing out of position and giving everything. Our story is clear in every position and they know what to do with and without the ball in different positions. The players are coping well with a heavy schedule and preparing well for every match.
“It is crucial we keep the mentality strong, it stays crucial. We need to be consistent in the marathon of a league. We push every time for three points. It’s a big period, four games and a lot of games to win or to lose.
“Then we have training camp and I’m looking forward to training hard with the team, and sitting down and talking with the team.
“It is most disappointing for Kemar (Roofe) as he is doing everything possible to avoid injuries. We are looking closely into the details to find solutions for him.
“Injured players are always in our meetings, I want them involved and to see what we are doing well and what we need to improve on. It is important they remain part of our story. Everyone has the same importance, we are one family who win or lose together.”
