Rangers Face Double Injury Concern Ahead of Old Firm Clash
Rangers boss Derek McInnes has confirmed that his side are sweating over the fitness of two players ahead of Sunday’s Premiership Old Firm clash with Celtic.
The Rangers manager will have to wait for late checks before knowing whether both players will be available for the crucial showdown at Celtic Park.
Ryan Naderi is one of the two concerns after suffering an ankle problem during the previous Old Firm meeting.
Rangers have also revealed that another unnamed player remains a doubt, adding another layer of uncertainty to McInnes’ preparations for a fixture where every available player could be important.
The timing of the injury update will give Rangers supporters something to monitor closely before kick-off. At the same time, McInnes has been able to prepare his team across a full week, while Celtic have had the added demands of European football to contend with.
Ryan Naderi’s Ankle Problem Remains a Concern
Naderi’s fitness issue dates back to the previous Old Firm encounter, when Mika Baur was involved in a high challenge that left the Rangers player with an ankle problem. McInnes described the condition of Naderi’s ankle as a “mess”, underlining the seriousness of the injury from Rangers’ perspective.
The Rangers boss has now confirmed that Naderi is one of two players who remain doubts for Sunday’s game. Medical checks will determine whether he can recover sufficiently to be considered for the squad when Rangers travel to Parkhead.
Rangers also spoke to the Scottish Football Association about the decision not to show a red card for the challenge involving Baur. That decision remains part of the wider context surrounding Naderi’s injury, although the immediate focus for McInnes is whether the player can recover in time.
“Ryan is one of two players who is a wee bit of a doubt for Sunday,” McInnes said. His comments provide a clear indication that Rangers are not yet certain about the availability of one of their players heading into another high-pressure Old Firm fixture.
Late Fitness Checks Could Shape the Rangers Line-Up
The second injury concern has not been publicly identified, meaning Rangers supporters will have to wait for further information before knowing the full extent of McInnes’ selection issues. The manager’s decision-making could therefore continue right up until matchday.
In a fixture as intense as the Old Firm, even one late change can have an impact on how a team approaches the match. Rangers will want as many of their regular options available as possible, particularly after building momentum with a sequence of strong performances.
McInnes has also stressed that Rangers cannot rely on one individual to carry the team through the game. His comments suggest that collective performance, energy and confidence will be central to the plan at Celtic Park.
That makes the final fitness checks particularly important because Rangers are preparing for a match where the physical demands are likely to be significant. The visitors will need players capable of maintaining their intensity throughout what could be a fiercely contested encounter.
Rangers Enter Old Firm Clash With Momentum
Despite the injury concerns, Rangers head into Sunday’s match with confidence rising after winning five consecutive games since their embarrassing European exit. That run has provided McInnes’ side with an important response, and the current momentum represents a significant change in mood around the Rangers camp.
The recent sequence of results has also given Rangers greater belief that their performances are becoming more consistent. McInnes believes his team are starting to show a more reliable level of performance, something that will be tested immediately when they step into Celtic Park.
“There’s a positivity, but we will need another big performance this weekend,” McInnes said. The Rangers manager added that he feels his side are beginning to develop “a semblance of consistency and good performance levels”.
That consistency will be crucial because an Old Firm fixture can quickly punish lapses in concentration. Rangers have worked hard to rebuild confidence, but Celtic Park provides an entirely different test from many of the matches they have played during their current winning run.
McInnes Sends Celtic an Aggression Warning
McInnes has made it clear that Rangers intend to approach Sunday’s contest with the same aggression and confidence that have helped them improve recently. Rather than focusing solely on tactical details, the manager believes the mentality and energy his players bring to the contest will be decisive.
“We will look to do something similar in terms of our approach; the aggression and confidence to play, the energy, are all more important than the tactics,” McInnes explained. That message will be particularly relevant in a fixture where momentum can swing rapidly between the two sides.
The Rangers boss wants his players to take the initiative rather than allowing the occasion to overwhelm them. Playing at Celtic Park without travelling away support presents an additional challenge, making the team’s internal confidence and discipline even more important.
McInnes’ warning is therefore not simply about physical aggression. His comments point towards an overall approach based on intensity, belief and energy, with Rangers expected to try to impose themselves rather than retreat into a passive strategy.
“A Big Performance Is Required”
McInnes has also reminded his players that a strong collective display will be necessary if Rangers are to leave Celtic Park with a positive result. The manager’s assessment was blunt: individual moments will not be enough if the team does not perform together.
“Hopefully the players go into the game with that message,” McInnes said. “A big performance is required, but you don’t win at Celtic Park unless everyone plays well.”
That statement underlines the scale of the challenge facing Rangers. Even with their five-game winning streak, the manager knows that previous results will not guarantee anything once the match begins.
The Old Firm atmosphere can create enormous pressure on both sides, and Rangers will have to handle that environment while sticking to the principles that have helped them find consistency. McInnes will be hoping his players can combine the confidence of their recent run with the discipline required in a major derby.
Celtic Arrive After Another European Setback
Rangers also have the benefit of a full week to prepare for Sunday’s fixture, while Celtic were involved in Europa League action on Thursday night. Celtic suffered another defeat in that match, giving the home side an additional challenge as they attempt to respond against their city rivals.
The result represents another setback for a Celtic side that have now lost back-to-back games. Their European disappointment has therefore arrived at a difficult moment, with the next match being one of the most demanding fixtures on the domestic calendar.
Rangers will be hoping to exploit any lack of confidence among their opponents. A victory at Celtic Park would not only strengthen their own position but could also tighten the Premiership title race and increase the pressure surrounding Celtic.
However, Rangers will know better than most that form going into an Old Firm match can only tell part of the story. Celtic will have the advantage of playing at home, and the reaction of the home players following their latest defeat could be a major factor in how the contest develops.
No Away Fans Adds Another Twist at Parkhead
Rangers face the unusual challenge of playing at Celtic Park without away supporters present. That removes the travelling support that would normally provide an emotional boost for the visitors during one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
The absence of Rangers fans means McInnes will need his players to generate their own energy on the pitch. His emphasis on aggression, confidence and intensity could therefore become even more important once the match gets underway.
Celtic, meanwhile, will have their home support behind them as they attempt to halt their current losing sequence. The contrast in recent momentum between the two teams adds another intriguing element to a fixture that already carries enormous significance.
For Rangers, the challenge is to take their recent form into an environment where they will face considerable pressure. For Celtic, the objective will be to respond strongly and prevent their recent setbacks from developing into a more damaging domestic run.
The Title Race Adds Extra Pressure
Beyond the rivalry itself, Sunday’s match carries consequences for the Premiership title race. Rangers have the