Rangers hit with double International injury blow for stalwarts as Wilfried Nancy MLS ally linked with Celtic transfer
A look at the latest news stories from both sides of the Old Firm as the International break draws to a close.
Rangers have been hit with not one, but two international injury scares, while Wilfried Nancy has plans to take a Columbus Crew striker with him to Celtic, if he is appointed as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement.
As domestic football returns, Danny Rohl will look to continue his winning run in the SPFL Premiership against Livingston at home on Saturday. The Govan side sit five points behind their Old Firm rivals and 12 adrift of league leaders Hearts with a game in hand. However, the German boss has been dealt some bad news during the International break as two defenders have become an injury concern.
On the other side of the city, Wilfried Nancy has became the front runner to take over the Celtic Park hot-seat. The Columbus Crew boss has reached the ‘advanced negotiations’ stage of proceedings as Dermot Desmond finally looks to have settled on his new man. With Nancy’s Parkhead arrival seemingly imminent, the Hoops have been linked with a striker who has impressed under the Frenchman in the MLS.
Here’s a look at the latest stories regarding Rangers and Celtic after a hectic international break:
Double trouble for Rangers centre backs
Both John Souttar and Derek Cornelius have been mainstays at the back for Rohl since he took over and have provided some physicality in the Rangers back line. However in a worrying chain of events for the Rangers boss, both centre halves have became injury worries whilst on International duty.
Souttar featured for Scotland in their 3-2 defeat to Greece on Saturday and was in Steve Clarke’s starting XI to play against Denmark in their all-or-nothing World Cup decider. However, due to a knock he picked up in the warm-up, the Gers man was replaced by Grant Hanley before kick off. The Scots emerged 4-2 victors in a chaotic night at Hampden to qualify for, what will be their first World Cup in 28 years.
As lightning strikes twice for the Rangers boss, Cornelius was subbed off for Canada in their 2-0 friendly win over Venezuela, as he picked up a muscle injury. If serious, it would be a huge blow to Rohl, given the versatility of the Marseille loanee, who has been deployed at both centre back and left back this season.
Nancy to bring MLS ally with him to Celtic
Wilfried Nancy has spoken highly of Columbus Crew striker, Diego Rossi and according to the Daily Record, could be bringing him to Celtic Park if he joins the Glasgow side. The 27-year old notched 16 goals and five assists for the MLS outfit last season.
The striker position is an area Celtic lack depth in this season, after losing the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah in recent transfer windows. To add to their attacking problems, Daizen Maeda also looks set for a January exit after handing in a transfer request in the summer.
Nancy told MLS Soccer that Rossi has the best ‘work ethic’ in his Columbus Crew side and admires the tenacity of his talisman. The Uruguayan also has experience playing in Europe after spending a season in the Turkish Super League with Fenerbahce before making his stateside move.