Rangers without up to 11 players including Antonio Colak for clash v Ross County – Michael Beale

Thu 22 December 2022 13:30, UK

Rangers will be without up to 11 players for their Scottish Premiership clash with Ross County on Friday, including top scorer Antonio Colak.

The Gers have so far won two out of two since Michael Beale returned to the club as manager, beating Aberdeen 3-2 in dramatic fashion as Scott Arfield scored two goals in second half injury time.

But the team is set to continue with several injury problems throughout the side as the boss revealed in his pre-match press conference that Colak and Kemar Roofe are among those who will miss the game, and he revealed several players are playing through the pain barrier.

🎙️ MB: We have 10/11 players unavailable which will help us to add competition for places once they return.

I am trying to create that competition for places that I think will help.

There are no excuses, we have more than enough and we should go and perform with our 11 tomorrow
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 22, 2022

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Beale confirmed reports that James Tavernier had been ill and travelled to Aberdeen alone in midweek, while also revealing that Glen Kamara needs surgery, John Lundstram needed an injection and Alfredo Morelos is also not fully fit but all are continuing to play.

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Ridvan Yilmaz, Borna Barisic, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Antonio Colak, Kemar Roofe, Tom Lawrence, and Ianis Hagi are all out of the game too, but Ben Davies is available to play as is Connor Goldson.

Madness

It’s absolutely crazy the amount of injury problems we have got at Ibrox right now, but the fact we’re still picking up victories and results is huge for the side.

🎙️ MB: Alfredo has played through the pain barrier and has been playing through a minor injury.

Colak won't be ready tomorrow with his calf problem, he will hopefully be back for 28th along with Roofe.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 22, 2022

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We will only improve as those players begin to come back from injury, and Beale knows that, so getting through this tough period is absolutely essential with maximum points on the board.

Colak’s absence is a big problem, especially if Morelos isn’t fully fit because he has struggled to make an impact so far in the two games.

In positive news, Ben Davies is set to return to the side with Beale planning on making five changes and now Rangers have to work towards a big win against opposition that they’re expected to dominate and come away with three points against.

As fitness issues persist it will get hard, but the aim has to be points on the board and we can focus on getting stronger as players begin to return.

In other Rangers news, official club partner blasts first-team player but defends Beale decision to use him