Derek McInnes has confirmed Lawrence Shankland will undergo surgery in London after the captain suffered a recurrence of his hamstring injury, with Daisuke Yokota also facing an operation on the same day after a groin setback.
Rangers have been dealt another significant injury blow despite Bojan Miovski's dramatic late winner against St Mirren at Ibrox.
The North Macedonia striker came off the bench to produce a stunning 90th-minute chip and secure a 1-0 victory for McInnes's side.
It was Rangers' fourth consecutive win and moved them up to second in the Scottish Premiership, but the result was overshadowed by the latest update on skipper Shankland.
Shankland suffered a recurrence of his hamstring problem during Saturday's victory over Motherwell and McInnes has now confirmed that the striker will undergo surgery in London.
The Rangers boss had previously indicated that surgery was being considered, with the decision expected to determine the length of Shankland's absence.
This will add extra time on his initial three-month layoff.
McInnes confirmed after the St Mirren victory that the operation will take place tomorrow.
"He's due to get the operation tomorrow in London. They've just made the decision, as I thought they would do, and it's something Lawrence was leaning towards as well,” he said.
"Although it's the same level of injury to see hamstring in that area, because it's been a recurrence really, by getting the surgery it minimises the risk of that happening again.
"I know it can still happen again, but we need to be able to have a bit of confidence with that. It might take that extra three or four weeks as a consequence."
Shankland is not the only Rangers player heading for surgery.
Yokota out for extended period
McInnes revealed that Daisuke Yokota will also undergo an operation in London after a scan showed the winger had suffered a serious groin injury.
The Japanese winger was absent from the squad for the St Mirren match after suffering the problem early in the week.
"Unfortunately, he's not alone in London as Daisuke Yokota is getting a groin injury at operation tomorrow as well,” McInnes revaled.
McInnes revealed the full extent of Yokota's injury after a scan on Monday.
"Once we got him scanned on Monday, it showed that he'd actually tore the muscle of the tendon in his groin.
"It's such an unpredictable injury that the surgeon has decided that it needs surgery as well. So, he'll be out a significant time as well, probably in the region to two to three months as well."
The two Rangers players will undergo their operations one after another on the same day, September 10.
McInnes even managed to find some humour in the difficult injury situation.
"They're actually getting done one after the other tomorrow. The surgeons rubbing his hands, he's got two for the price of one. So, it's Shankland first, then Yokota,” he said.
Miovski provides Rangers with late rescue
The injury news came after Rangers had secured another important three points in dramatic circumstances.
With the game seemingly heading towards a frustrating goalless draw, Miovski produced the decisive moment in the 90th minute.
Ryan Naderi flicked the ball into the striker's path and Miovski raced through before calmly lifting a delicate chip over St Mirren goalkeeper Jacob Chapman.
It was a moment of individual quality which spared Rangers after St Mirren had grown into the contest in the second half.
Rangers had dominated large periods of the opening 45 minutes but found Chapman in inspired form, with the Buddies’ goalkeeper making several important saves.
The visitors then created opportunities after the break, with Fraser Taylor denied by Ivor Pandur when clean through on the Croatians goal.
But Miovski's late intervention ensured Rangers extended their winning run to four matches, with three clean sheets.
McInnes was particularly pleased to see Miovski emerge as the match-winner given the striker's position in the Rangers squad.
The 27-year-old has found himself behind the injured duo of Shankland and Youssef Chermiti as well as Ryan Naderi and new signing Kevin Kelsy in the attacking pecking order, but his manager believes his quality has never been in doubt.
"It's a testament to him and his professionalism, he always trains with motivation,” he said, praising the former Aberdeen striker.
"When we first came in obviously the club had invested a lot of money in Youssef and Ryan and then Lawrence comes in and he's probably thinking where am I going to fit in here?
"His goals per minute both for Aberdeen and Rangers and the Premier League is top class.
"I'm just delighted that we've got somebody of his calibre, his prowess in the building, his experience.
"We're not littered with experience, it's just somebody to come on and stay calm in those moments.
"His experience and his execution of the goal was first class. So pleased for him."
Miovski's goal could prove particularly significant given the injury problems currently affecting Rangers' forward options.
McInnes believes the striker will continue to make an impact if given the opportunity.
"He's such a popular boy with the staff, the players and I'm sure if he keeps scoring late winners like that he will be with the supporters
Celtic now await Rangers
Rangers now turn their attention towards one of the biggest tests of the season.
Celtic are next up at Ibrox on Sunday in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, before the two sides meet again in the league at Celtic Park.
The Old Firm double-header will provide McInnes' side with a major examination, but the manager can take his team into Sunday's clash on the back of four consecutive victories.
Miovski's late strike also ensures Rangers head into the Celtic game with momentum intact despite the mounting injury problems.
For McInnes, however, the immediate priority will be assessing how his squad copes with the absence of Shankland and Yokota.
The Rangers boss will now have to find a solution in attack with Shankland facing several months out, Chermiti already sidelined and Yokota joining the growing injury list.
But Miovski's timely intervention has at least given Rangers another reason for optimism ahead of Sunday's huge Ibrox showdown.
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