Clement may have to turn to Rangers outcast v Celtic amid injury concern
Philippe Clement has an additional headache ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and Celtic on Thursday.
The Belgian tactician is under immense pressure in Govan after the Light Blues dropped 14 points behind the Hoops after failing to win their last two league games.
Losing against Brendan Rodgers’ side at home on 2 January could be the final nail in the coffin for Clement.
If things were not bad enough for the former Monaco boss, Kris Boyd has given him another reason to be worried.
Kris Boyd spots James Tavernier concern in Motherwell v Rangers
Boyd feels James Tavernier may be a fitness doubt for the Old Firm derby after he spotted him holding his hamstring in the 2-2 draw against Motherwell on Sunday, 29 December.
The player-turned-pundit pointed out that Clement may be forced to play Leon King against Celtic if Tavernier is unavailable.
“James Tavernier was holding hamstring going off yesterday [Sunday] as well”, Boyd said on The Scottish Sun’s Go Ballistic podcast (30 December).
“Just towards the end, feeling it a couple of times.
“Is he going to be a fitness doubt because if he is a fitness doubt, then I really don’t know where Rangers go.
“Do you bring Leon King in and then put [Dujon] Sterling to right-back?
“There’s enough injury problems for Rangers as it stands right now.”
As Boyd said, the Gers already have enough injury problems, particularly in defence, with Harry Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo already on the treatment table.
Clement can fill the void left by Tavernier’s possible absence by moving Dujon Sterling to right-back, but that would leave him short of options at centre-back.
This means the 50-year-old may be forced to turn to King, who is yet to feature for the senior team this season, in what might prove to be a make-or-break game for him.
Robin Propper’s performances at the back have already left much to be desired and playing King alongside him for an Old Firm derby is not promising by any means.
Rangers could, therefore, be looking at a demoralising result if Tavernier does not pass the fitness test for Thursday’s game.
In other Rangers news, Stephen Warnock hit back at a Sky Sports host after what he said about a controversy in the game against Motherwell.
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