Russell Martin have offered some insight into how Rangers will lineup for this Sunday’s crucial away match against St Mirren.
Rangers travel to Paisley to take on the Buddies in a match which, only 3 weeks into the league season, is already being billed as a must win for the new Ibrox head coach.
Rangers will be without the long term injured Dujon Sterling, with Rabbi Matondo also ruled out. Cyriel Dessers is also a doubt for the match while Nasser Djiga is suspended following his red card in last week’s 1-1 draw with Dundee at Ibrox.
Speaking to the media today ahead of Sunday’s match at the SMiSA Stadium, the Ibrox boss spoke about the fitness of Hamza Igamane.
The forward has had a complicated pre-season; he firstly returned late due to visa issues after international duty with Morocco before injury woes kept him sidelined for the start of the campaign.
There was also transfer rumours, with French sides Lille and Rennes both reportedly keen to take him to Ligue 1, with the former having an audacious loan bid laughed off by the Ibrox hierarchy.
Speaking on Igamane today, the head coach said: “Hamza has had 5 or 6 training sessions, so likely not fit to start yet.
“He won't be far off but not quite ready to start yet.”
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With Cyriel Dessers a doubt and not likely to feature after injuring himself in Rangers UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg away to Viktoria Plzen in Czechia, it looks as if Brazilian Danilo will continue to start in attack.
The £6m former Feyenoord striker impressed in pre-season but has of yet been unable to translate that form into competitive action, despite grabbing Rangers consolation goal in Tuesday evening’s 3-1 playoff round defeat to Club Brugge.
With deals for strikers Dor Turgeman and Bojan Miovski seemingly out of the back window, it will be key for Rangers to get their first choice forwards fit and ready for a crucial end to the month, with the second leg in Belgium and an old firm at the end of the month coming up.
With injuries and suspensions continuing to shape Martin’s options, Rangers will need to rely on squad depth and adaptability as they head to Paisley.
The uncertainty over Dessers and the gradual return of Igamane mean Danilo is likely to lead the line once again, carrying the hopes of the Ibrox faithful.
Sunday’s clash against St Mirren will be an early litmus test for Martin’s squad, and for the new manager himself, as he looks to rewrite the narrative and kick start Rangers season.