Rangers face injury and suspension sweat over eight first team stars ahead of Dundee clash
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Rangers face an injury and suspension sweat over as many as eight players ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee.
Philippe Clement knows all too well about the pitfalls of Dens Park having seen Rangers' ill-fated Scottish Premiership title bid collapse in the City of Discovery last season.
Following yet more dropped away points in the 3-3 draw with Hibs, the Rangers manager can ill afford any more slip ups on the road and Dundee is very much a must-win clash for the Ibrox club.
But with the pressure building on the Rangers team, Clement will have to go into battle on Scotland's east coast without as many as eight first team stars.
Jack Butland
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland was hospitalised ahead of the Old Firm visit of Celtic and has remained out of the team ever since.
Deputy stopper Liam Kelly was left furious after the draw with Hibs and it remains to be seen if Ibrox number one Butland will be reinstated against Dundee.
There was a chance Jack Butland might've been involved at Easter Road, so the stopper isn't too far away.
- Last seen: Motherwell 2-2 Rangers (29/12/25)
- Appearances this season: 29
- Conceded: 27
- Clean sheets: 13
James Tavernier
Rangers captain James Tavernier is another who sustained an injury heading into the Scottish Premiership clash with Celtic.
Whilst the problem is not expected to keep the right-back out for the long-term, the trip to Dundee may well come too soon for the Ibrox skipper.
- Last seen: Motherwell 2-2 Rangers (29/12/25)
- Appearances this season: 29
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 6
Dujon Sterling
Dujon Sterling was forced off the pitch in the second half of Rangers' 3-3 draw with Hibs, the ex-Chelsea talent the latest defender to suffer an injury at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement told reporters the club would wait to assess any injury to the utility man but it certainly doesn't look good heading into the clash at Dens Park.
- Last seen: Hibernian 3-3 Rangers (05/01/25)
- Appearances this season: 27
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 1
Neraysho Kasanwirjo
Neraysho Kasanwirjo was signed as a versatile solution to Rangers' lack of quality depth across the backline and the club has suffered ever since a season-ending injury in November.
Picking up the problem whilst on international duty with the Dutch U21s, Kasanwirjo won't play for Rangers again this season but the Gers do retain an interest in a permanent deal.
- Last seen: Rangers 1-0 Hearts (11/10/24)
- Appearances this season: 14
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
John Souttar
Rangers have felt the monumental loss of John Souttar at a crucial juncture of the season with the club's recent away day defensive woes coming in the Scotland star's absence.
Dundee will certainly be too soon for Souttar who will remained sidelined for 'several weeks' as Rangers look to hang on in there without the influential defender's presence.
- Last seen: Rangers 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur (12/12/24)
- Appearances this season: 25
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
Leon Balogun
The presence of Rangers veteran Leon Balogun is reportedly the reason why Philippe Clement won't consider Jonny Evans as a potential singing this winter.
But the 36-year-old Nigerian international is another who is carrying an injury problem and who has been unable to feature since the 2-1 defeat to St Mirren.
There is a chance Leon Balogun will be available to play against Dundee but equally, Rangers could just as easily be without the centre-back for the trip to Dens Park.
- Last seen: St Mirren 2-1 Rangers (26/12/24)
- Appearances this season: 17
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
Nicolas Raskin
Rangers midfield enforcer Nicolas Raskin has emerged as a key player in the Ibrox side in recent weeks and has even captained the team in the absence of the traditional leadership group.
Nico is suspended for the trip to Dundee after picking up a controversial yellow card in the thumping win over Celtic at Ibrox.
The absence of Raskin raises questions over who will be captain for Rangers at Dens Park.
- Last seen: Rangers 3-3 Hibernian (05/01/25)
- Appearances this season: 25
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 3
Tom Lawrence
Tom Lawrence's entire Rangers career has been dominated by injury problems and once again the Welsh international forward finds himself sidelined.
Despite a bright start to the season, Lawrence hasn't been seen since the Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Motherwell at the beginning of November.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has been coy on the attacking midfielder's situation but it's clear Lawrence is still some way off a return.
- Last seen: Rangers 2-1 Motherwell (03/11/24)
- Appearances this season: 15
- Goals: 5
- Assists: 2
