James Tavernier and Ryan Jack unavailable for Cove match as Katic ‘returns to grass’
Rangers duo James Tavernier and Ryan Jack will be unavailable against Cove Rangers but Gary McAllister shared a positive update on Nikola Katic.
Gers captain Tavernier is back in training and getting closer to a return to action after spending more than a month on the sidelines.
Jack’s recovery is less positive as McAllister revealed the club is awaiting results on the midfielder’s injury after visiting a specialist in London.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, as quoted by the Gers’ official Twitter account, McAllister said: “Positive on Tavernier is he is back training on his one, a big positive as he gets closer.
“Ryan Jack has been in London seeing a specialist and we are awaiting results on this as we try to get to the bottom of his issue.
“Katic is back on the grass which is great to see.”
Mixed news
Tavernier being close to a return is exactly what we need and hopefully he is ready for our next league game.
We now need him more than ever as Nathan Patterson will be banned for the next few games after he broke Covid rules in February.
The skipper’s comeback should boost the squad ahead of our campaign to win the Scottish Cup, which will really take off once we get past Cove.
Jack’s issue seems to be troubling him significantly and that is a bit of a worry, particularly as Scotland boss Steve Clarke called him up for international duty – that suggested his return was imminent.
Jack has made just three league starts since early December so there is clearly an underlying issue with his fitness.
He needs to be carefully managed over the next few weeks, as does Katic, who may even manage to make an appearance before the season is up.
The medical team will be keeping a close eye on both players but it would be a big benefit to us if they can play a part at some point in the near future.
In other Rangers news, a Czech spokesperson shares whether Gareth Bale injured Ondrej Kudela with elbow clash.