Rangers team and injury news vs Celtic as deadline day signing to miss out
08/31/2024 09:37 AM
Philippe Clement spoke to the press this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s Old Firm derby against Celtic at Parkhead.
The Rangers manager faced questions at the Rangers Training Centre after busy deadline day that saw the club sign two new players.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo joined on loan from Feyenoord while Gers splurged £3.5m on attacking midfielder Nedim Bajrami from Sassuolo.
So the question on Rangers fans’ lips was whether the duo would be available to play some part in the first derby of the season on Sunday?
Neraysho Kasanwirjo available
Clement confirmed that while versatile Dutch centre-back Kasanwirjo isn’t quite up to speed yet, he will be in the squad for the trip to Celtic.
The manager said: “Neraysho will be available but he only trained one time with the squad and he’s just new here also so those are things we take into consideration here of course.”
Nedim Bajrami won’t play
Bajrami, who scored the quickest goal in European Championship history in the summer for Albania, will not be available to play against Celtic.
That’s because his paperwork hasn’t been finalised yet so he won’t be in the squad, despite being fit and ready.
Clement: “Nedim is fit but his paperwork isn’t totally done so he will not be available.”
Other Rangers injury news
Ridvan Yilmaz will be the only other player to miss out, while Oscar Cortes is back in training after suffering an injury against Hearts on the opening day.
“The only thing is Ridvan Yilmaz is still out as planned but for the rest, everybody is available. So that’s also one important part of this rebuild to get a fitter squad than last season.
“Oscar Cortes is back in training, building up his fitness now.”
