Rangers manager Philippe Clement defends injury record as depleted squad prepares for Dundee challenge | Football news
Philippe Clement defended his injury record at Rangers as he reviewed his weakened squad ahead of the game against Dundee, live on Sky Sports.
When the Belgian took over as manager in October 2023, he promised to improve the fitness and availability of the squad he inherited from previous manager Michael Beale.
However, Rangers are again short on numbers and particularly bare of defensive options ahead of the trip to Tayside.
Captain James Tavernier remains in the side alongside John Souttar (groin) and Neraysho Kasanwirja (knee), Jack Butland (leg) and Leon Balogun, while midfielder Tom Lawrence is still out.
Utility player Dujon Sterling is a question mark after suffering defeat in this weekend’s 3-3 draw with Hibernian, which ultimately left Rangers 13 points behind Premiership leaders Celtic.
“It’s a completely different situation,” said Clement, who will also be without suspended midfielder Nicolas Raskin for the game against Tony Docherty’s side.
“Last season we had big periods, 10/12, players out of the game.
“Now we have four for sure. OK, Jack too, but it’s an accident. It’s not really an injury. It’s a contact injury. And some others are also contact injuries. It’s part of football.
“The difficult thing is that everything is in one position.
“So it’s a difficulty for every club in the world. You can’t predict it and it’s not possible to have seven centre-backs in your team.
“So, this season we have never been in a situation where we have 12 injuries at the same time, and the club has also worked hard to strengthen some departments.
“So we’ve got a really good physio from Aberdeen with Kevin (Bain), who we’ve changed in the performance department.
“So, really good steps have been taken on that path, so we can’t compare ourselves to the situation that was last season.
“It’s about finding solutions and that’s what we’ve been doing for the last few weeks.
“For example, put Ridvan Yilmaz at right back and he does a very good job there.
“So we have to be creative, have a good level of defense and not concede the goals we conceded against Hibs in two sets.
“I have to make a choice about that, also according to this game, because that is also one of Dundee’s strengths.”
