Gio van Bronckhorst reveals 5 Rangers stars will miss Aberdeen clash but provides positive Filip Helander update
17.01.2022 - 16:59
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Gio van Bronckhorst is facing a midfield headache for Tuesday’s huge trip to Aberdeen with veteran duo Steven Davis and Scott Arfield both ruled out.
The Rangers boss revealed the pair won’t make the journey north to Pittodrie for the crunch clash as the Scottish Premiership resumes after the winter break.
And with Joe Aribo currently on international duty at the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria it is a big miss for the Light Blues.
Rangers, like the rest of the top flight sides, haven’t played since Boxing Day when they won 2-0 against St Mirren at Ibrox.
Davis was on the bench for that one and Arfield – who has announced his international retirement – came on as a second-half substitute.
But Van Bronckhorst said: “ Scott Arfield and Steven Davis will also both miss out with injury. Joe Aribo will miss out on international duty.”
That could see Gers hand American James Sands a debut or be forced to bring in John Lundstram - hooked at half-time on his last appearance and linked with a January exit - or Juninho Bacuna.
There was, however, more positive news on the injury front as van Bronckhorst said: “Filip Helander started training but the game will be too early for him.
“Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack will both start training with the team this week.
“We had two weeks to prepare ourselves and to get more time to work with the players on the pitch and in team meetings.
“It was very good to get the chance to work in-depth on what we want to improve.”
Van Bronckhorst has signed James Sands in this window with John Souttar agreeing a pre-contract while Nathan Patterson sealed a big money move to Everton.
The Gers boss said: “I am happy that John Souttar will be joining us. A top Scottish international and I look forward to him