Rangers have been handed a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s pivotal Scottish Premiership clash away to league leaders Hearts, with Bojan Miovski taking a significant step towards a return to action.
Sources inside the Rangers Training Centre have confirmed the North Macedonian international was back out on the grass with the first-team squad during Tuesday morning’s recovery session, less than 24 hours after the narrow 1–0 victory over the Jambos Edinburgh rivals Hibernian at Ibrox.
While the session was light in nature, Miovski’s involvement represents real progress after fears he could face a spell on the sidelines.
The striker was forced off during Rangers UEFA Europa League defeat to Ferencvárosi last week after taking a heavy knock, with Danny Röhl initially unsure of the severity.
Speaking after that match, the Rangers head coach admitted the issue “could be more” than just an impact injury, raising doubts over Miovski’s availability for the congested festive schedule.
Those concerns appeared justified when Miovski was left out of the squad for Monday night’s win over Hibs, with Youssef Chermiti tasked with leading the line.
While the Portuguese forward worked hard and offered more than in recent outings, Rangers were noticeably less threatening in the final third, underlining how important Miovski has quickly become to Röhl’s side in recent weeks.
Miovski’s absence was particularly frustrating given his recent upturn in form.
After a difficult start to life at Ibrox following his summer move from Girona, the former Aberdeen striker had begun to show exactly why Rangers invested in him.
A brace away to Kilmarnock reignited belief, and he followed that up with a superb overhead kick goal in Hungary against Robbie Keane’s side before injury curtailed his night.
That run of three goals in two games had marked Miovski out as Rangers most reliable attacking option heading into a decisive period of the season with both Chermiti and Danilo struggling for goals.
With Rangers facing Hearts, Motherwell, St Mirren, Celtic and a double header with Aberdeen all in quick succession, Röhl will be keen to have his leading striker available – even if initially from the bench.
Sunday’s trip to Tynecastle carries significant weight. Hearts currently sit nine points clear at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more than Rangers.
They also inflicted Rangers only league defeat of the campaign back in August, a 2–0 win at Ibrox under the now-dismissed Russell Martin.
While Röhl has repeatedly played down title talk, he has also acknowledged the importance of maintaining momentum and staying within touching distance.
Miovski’s potential return would give Rangers a much-needed focal point against a Hearts side that have thrived on organisation, physicality and punishing mistakes.
Even at less than full fitness, his movement, confidence and finishing could prove decisive in a fixture likely to be decided by fine margins.
While a final decision will be made later in the week following further assessment, Miovski’s return to training is an encouraging sign.
For Rangers, who are slowly rebuilding belief after a turbulent start to the season, having their in-form striker back in the fold could make all the difference at Tynecastle.
Rangers will be without Nasser Djiga, who heads off to AFCON with Burkina Faso - as well as long-term absentees John Souttar, Derek Cornelius, Bailey Rice and Oliver Antman.
Kieran Dowell returned to the bench last night while Rabbi Matondo and Nedim Bajrami could also make returns but are unlikely to make Sunday at this stage.