Rangers get double injury boost ahead of Stirling Albion game
Rangers have received a double injury boost after Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun were passed fit to return against Stirling Albion this weekend.
Both players missed the 1-1 draw with Aberdeen in midweek through injury, but manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that they are available for the Scottish Cup fixture against the League 2 opposition.
The game still comes too early for Jack Simpson, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis who will miss out, while the boss also revealed that he will use this as an opportunity to rotate his team.
Roofe has scored six goals this season but hasn’t featured since the 1-1 draw with Lyon on December 9th, while Balogun has yet to feature under GvB with his last appearance coming in the 3-1 defeat to Hibs in November.
Boost
The return of two experienced first-team stars is bound to be a big boost to Van Bronckhorst and his squad, as they approach the business end of the season.
They currently have a four-point lead in the Scottish Premiership ahead of Celtic and a win over Stirling this weekend will see them progress into the last 16 of the cup.
This game will serve as a good chance for these players to get back up to speed ahead of the league campaign, while also allowing for GvB to take a closer look at some players on the fringes of the team.
Roofe will provide competition for Alfredo Morelos and with the Colombian set to miss the Old Firm derby due to international duty, they need him firing as quickly as possible.
Balogun on the other hand will be looking to put himself in the shop window with contract expiring in the summer, whether that be at centre-back or right-back.
In other Rangers news, View: Rangers get boost in hunt for permanent January deal with ‘decision to make’