Danny Röhl returned from the international break to discover the momentum Rangers had built prior to the break - now faces an immediate test.
What had been a relatively healthy squad two weeks ago has quickly unravelled into a sizeable injury crisis, forcing the new manager into early problem-solving mode just as his side had begun to show signs of stability.
Röhl admitted he needed “a list” simply to track the volume of issues now facing his squad. John Souttar, Mikey Moore and Derek Cornelius all returned from international duty with muscle injuries, each requiring further assessment.
Derek’s situation appears the most concerning, with the defender set to see a specialist and the manager warning “it could be a serious one.”
Bailey Rice, who suffered an injury in training before the break, has now required surgery, while both Youssef Chermiti and Liam Kelly remain major doubts for the weekend.
Even those who have made progress: Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Rabbi Matondo, are still at least one proper match away from being considered ready for competitive action.
It is a bruising setback for a squad that had finally found rhythm, producing three consecutive league wins and a sense of structure under Röhl’s early influence.
The head coach acknowledged the frustration: sending players to their national teams brings pride, opportunity and exposure, but always carries risk.
“Before the break we had nearly no injuries but now we have many,” he said.
“As a club manager you want to protect your players, but it is what it is.
“Football happens.”
Despite the scale of the disruption, Röhl refused to dwell on the negatives.
He believes adversity presents a natural opening for others to assert themselves and insisted the mood within the squad remains energised.
Training across the break was strong, and the manager has already held conversations with several players about seizing their chance.
“Now it’s an opportunity for players to step up,” he said.
“Sometimes players surprise you in these moments.”
His message is clear: the team still has a job to do, and solutions will be found.
Timelines for returns remain uncertain. Souttar and Moore could be back toward the end of December but are likely to miss Rangers trip to lead leaders Hearts at Tynecastle just prior to Christmas, though Röhl warned muscle injuries are unpredictable.
“it could be 25 days, it could be 40,” he explained.
Cornelius may face an even longer spell out, and Rice’s situation is the most definitive, with surgery ruling him out for an extended period.
Röhl offered no illusions: this is not a short-term setback, but something Rangers will have to absorb as they navigate a crucial stretch of the season.
With absences mounting, the door opens for fringe players to step forward.
Emmanuel Fernandes is among those Röhl has spoken to directly, preparing him in case his opportunity arrives as early as tomorrow.
Clinton Nsiala is also pushing for involvement, while Dujon Sterling’s steady return to fitness puts him in contention in the coming weeks.
Röhl emphasised that his use of rotation in recent lineups was deliberate, ensuring the squad stays engaged, sharp and ready for moments like this.
“You never know,” he said.
“Sometimes a player is out, then suddenly performs well and stays in the team.”
For a manager only a month into the job, this represents an early examination of depth, adaptability and mentality.
Yet Röhl’s approach remains unswervingly clear-eyed: Rangers must continue moving forward, grinding through the challenges rather than being derailed by them.