Falkirk vs Rangers injury news: 4 out and 4 doubts for Premiership clash that takes on additional meaning for visitors
Latest injury and team news ahead of Sunday’s Premiership clash between Falkirk and Rangers at the Falkirk Stadium
Rangers will head to the Falkirk Stadium this weekend aiming to keep their Scottish Premiership title assault on course - and with the added incentive of recording a first win over John McGlynn’s side this season.
The Ibrox club have failed to get the better of the high-flying Bairns in two previous attempts this term, drawing 1-1 and 0-0 on those occasions.
Sunday’s trip to the Bairns will bring back grim memories for the Rangers squad as they return to the scene where violence broke out among supporters, who attempted to block the team bus from leaving the ground amid heightened calls for previous head coach Russell Martin to be sacked.
Their wishes came true later that evening back in mid-October, with Martin eventually replaced in the hot seat by Danny Rohl. Fast forward six months, Rangers are now locked in a three-way title fight with Hearts and Celtic.
Only three points separate the sides and with Rangers playing last this weekend, the pressure will be back on the Light Blues to deliver a positive result against an opponent with little to play for now except pride after securing a top-six finish last weekend during their first season back in the top-flight after successive promotions.
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The only way is up for Falkirk and while is seems a tall order to catch Hibs and Motherwell above them, they will still pose a dangerous test to Rangers title credentials.
Here, GlasgowWorld has rounded up the early team and injury news ahead of Sunday’s league encounter at the Falkirk Stadium.
Ryan Naderi (Rangers) - OUT
Another muscle-related issue. There is hope the £4.7m January signing will return before the season’s end, but that is dependant on how he reacts to treatment over the coming weeks.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rohl said: “We assessed him. I think it is a serious one. We don’t know when he is back. General with this kind of muscle injury you have to look week by week. We have to re-scan him in two weeks and then we will know more.”
Ethan Williams (Falkirk) - OUT
The Manchester United loanee has been crocked since January and returned to Old Trafford for treatment, with confirmation received that his season is effectively over.
Mikey Moore (Rangers) - DOUBT
Question marks were raised over the Tottenham Hotspur loanee’s fitness on Friday, meaning his participation is now rated doubtful.
Ross MacIver (Falkirk) - DOUBT
Frontman has been missing since the end of November after needing surgery on an ankle injury that would keep him out “long term”. Now on the comeback trail and could potentially be in line to return this weekend.
Tuur Rommens (Rangers) - OUT
Belgian left-back remains sidelined with a muscle injury sustained in training last week that prevented him from featuring against Dundee United. Not expected back until the post-split games.
Rohl stated on Friday: “Tuur had more treatment this week, it was very successful. This weekend will be too early but it looks great that he is back maybe the first if everything goes well, but at the latest the second game in the split. It gives me also confidence. With the schedule, we have not a game on the Saturday and it is a bit later and it gives us more time.”
Louis Marsh (Falkirk) - DOUBT
Said to be “progressing nicely” in his bid to recover from injury, although this game might come too soon for the Sheffield United loanee.
Andreas Skov Olsen (Rangers) - DOUBT
In a similar position to Moore, the Danish international could miss out amid concerns over his fitness.
Bailey Rice (Rangers) - OUT
Midfielder won’t kick a ball again this season due to a muscle problem.