Rangers get boost ahead of Old Firm clash v Celtic as Liel Abada suffers muscle injury on international duty with Israel
Rangers have been handed a major boost ahead of the Old Firm clash with Celtic after the international break as Liel Abada has suffered a muscle injury.
The Israeli winger has been in fantastic form for Celtic this season, but with the huge derby game at Parkhead set for April 8th, Abada is now a doubt for the clash after picking up a muscle injury while away with his national team.
And now according to the Scottish Daily Express (21 March), Ange Postecoglou is hoping that both Abada and Japan ace Reo Hatate can recover from injuries in time to face Rangers once they return to action in Glasgow.
“It comes after Reo Hatate limped out of last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Hibs with a hamstring problem and boss Ange Postecoglou is hoping that the Japanese star can heal quickly with a Parkhead showdown against Rangers coming up on April 8 – a match that will surely crown Celtic champions again if they win it or even avoid defeat.
“Now the Celtic boss has another issue to contend with as Abada looks to be in some trouble with an ice pack immediately administered to the problem area.
“The Israel team doctor will decide whether Abada needs to be sent for a scan on the injury.”
Luck
So far the only difference between Rangers and Celtic since Michael Beale came into the club was the defeat in the Viaplay Cup final. Everything else has been exactly the same, and that’s progress.
However sometimes the difference in these games is a little bit of luck, and with key Rangers players suffering with injuries heading into previous games this is a nice change of tact.
With Celtic having problems now with fitness, it’s a chance for Rangers to push on and claim a much-needed win in this rivalry to prove to fans that everything is going in the right direction.
Beale has won every game except his two meetings against Celtic this season, and at some point he needs to prove that his ceiling isn’t being second best to that lot.
While it will be a reason for Celtic to point at if they do lose, it’s important we take advantage and shut the gap down when we play them by winning, so all these little things going in our favour will help that.
In other Rangers news, Tillman could be set for a position change as Beale looks to “shoehorn” in his top guys.