Steven Gerrard delivers quadruple injury update ahead of Rangers v Hamilton
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has delivered a quadruple injury update ahead of his side’s clash with Hamilton this weekend.
The Gers have the opportunity to extend their unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership season with a win over the Accies on Saturday afternoon, but will have to do so without Jermain Defoe and Joe Aribo.
Both players have been sidelined for a number of weeks, and while the boss is optimistic of their chances of making the game against Dundee United on September 12th, neither will be ready in time for the weekend.
In more positive news, the Gers will be able to call upon Allan McGregor and Leon Balogun.
The veteran stopper sustained a knock against Bayer Leverkusen and has been deputised by Jon McLaughlin ever since, while Balogun started his career at Ibrox very brightly before picking up a muscle complaint.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Gerrard said: “Jermain Defoe and Joe Aribo won’t make the Hamilton game. Both should make the next game.
“Leon Balogun is back available for selection.
“Allan McGregor has trained all week.”
What can we make of this update?
Obviously, there are positives and negatives to be taken from Gerrard’s press conference.
On the one hand, having McGregor back is always going to be a bonus, regardless of how well McLaughlin has done his job in his absence.
Likewise, Balogun started the season at a wonderful pace and settled into life at Ibrox very quickly.
In fact, the Nigeria international was so good on his debut that Alan Hutton labelled him “excellent” during an interview with Football Insider.
That being said, on the other hand, Rangers will miss not having Joe Aribo in the starting XI.
The midfielder has been standout for the Gers so far this term, and has been hailed by Alex Bruce for his impactful displays.
Hopefully it shouldn’t make too much difference to Saturday’s outcome, but the sooner he is back in contention, the better for everybody.
In other Rangers news, Bruce claims Rangers will want to ‘build team around’ this player.