Key player injury blow compounded by ominous Rangers transfer message with update imminent
01/05/2025 11:00 AM
Rangers' defensive injury crisis shows no signs of abating as Philippe Clement confirms John Souttar will remain out of action for 'several weeks' yet.
The Ibrox side have sorely missed their defensive commander in chief, with Rangers' away form collapsing in the wake of John Souttar picking up an injury against Spurs.
Back then, Philippe Clement told reporters that John Souttar faced 'several weeks' on the sidelines and it was as you were when the Rangers manager was grilled on the Scotland star's situation.
Rangers have now drawn two away games and lost the other in the Scottish Premiership since Souttar got injured, with Philippe Clement being grilled on the club's defensive deficiencies come full time in the 3-3 draw with Hibs.
It comes with Dujon Sterling going off injured in the clash at Easter Road, with Rangers already without Leon Balogun and Neraysho Kasanwirjo.
John Souttar injury 'not short term'
"(John Souttar) will be still several weeks," Clement told the press. "He will not be back in the short term.
"I don’t have a clue (about Dujon Sterling) for the moment. Dujon got a kick on his foot. He had to come off because of that, we will see how serious the injury is.
"I don’t know if Leon will be back, and for sure not others. So we need to puzzle towards Thursday, so we will focus on that the next couple of days."
Rangers manager in ominous transfer update
Rangers' defensive injury crisis shows no signs of abating with Leon King called upon in the 3-3 draw with Hibs and being found wanting for the Easter Road side's equaliser.
Outmuscled and outpowered by Rocky Bashiri from a corner, King hasn't been used by Philippe Clement all season and the kid was like a rabbit in the headlights in Leith.
Rangers' dearth of options at centre-back is compounded by what Kris Boyd describes as a 'glaring' lack of physicality in the team.
With Dujon Sterling deputising at centre-back and playing particularly deep, Robin Propper has repeatedly failed the test on the road in Scottish football.
With John Souttar now facing an extended period on the sidelines, all eyes are on the Rangers board with the club in desperate need of a new centre-back this January.
Philippe Clement was asked about potential defensive reinforcements and rather ominously claims that new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart will have an update on the situation this week.
"That’s something that Patrick will address towards you guys," said Clement. "He wants to give that explanation what is the plan for January.
"I think every manager feels that (they could use more players), and for sure in the situation we are.
"For the moment with injuries and everything, but there’s also the situation of the club. You need to pay it also, and I’m not the one who can pay that. I don’t have that money."
