Ibrox View: Injuries starting to mount up – Three things we learned from Rangers win v Dundee
Rangers eased past Dundee United on Saturday, maintaining their outstanding clean sheet record while firing four goals past their opponents.
Ryan Kent opened the scoring before James Tavernier double the Gers’ lead later in the first half, on his 250th appearance for the club.
Kemar Roofe and Scott Arfield completed the rout after the interval as Rangers consolidated their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Though this was a positive result for Rangers, it wasn’t without its drawbacks, however, with Alfredo Morelos being stretchered off the field after coming off the bench to add to a worsening injury crisis at Ibrox.
Here are three things we learned from Ranger’s victory…
1) Injuries are starting to mount up
Alfredo Morelos came off the bench in the first half, following an injury to Brandon Barker only to be subbed off himself in the second half with a nasty complaint following something of a horror challenge.
The duo weren’t the first casualties of the day, however, with Leon Balogun and Ryan Jack both picking up knocks too.
With Allan McGregor and Joe Aribo also facing spells on the sidelines, this is the last thing Steven Gerrard will have wanted as Rangers look to start their Europa League campaign next week.
The fixtures are about to start piling up for the Gers and Gerrard will ideally want a fully fit squad to challenge both domestically and in Europe.
It remains to be seen how severe today’s issues are, but Rangers are starting to look a little like the walking wounded.
2) Ianis Hagi thrived at Number 10
Ianis Hagi produced a performance of the highest order against Dundee in his return to a more central role in behind the striker.
The Romanian produced two quality assists for the Gers’ first and fourth goals on Saturday afternoon.
The first was a smart one-two with Ryan Kent, playing his teammate into an ideal position to take a shot on, while his second was a tidy lay-off for Scott Arfield.
Hagi has struggled to hit his stride so far this term, but Steven Gerrard got the best out of him as a Number 10 today, and if he carries on playing there he will certainly surpass the three goals and two assists he registered last season.
3. Kemar Roofe is discovering his form, just in time
Kemar Roofe scored his second Rangers goal on Saturday, diverting a Scott Arfield shot past the helpless Benjamin Siegrist in the United net.
It was a real poacher’s goal which should give supporters plenty of hope about what he can produce going forward.
Roofe is looking more comfortable with every passing game in a Rangers shirt, and with Jermain Defoe not quite back to full fitness and Morelos potentially spending some time on the injury table, the next few weeks could prove to be a huge chance for Roofe to cement his place as Gerrard’s first choice.
In other Rangers news, Glasgow Live journalist claims that Morelos could still stay at Rangers.