Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has confirmed a body blow to his squad for this afternoon’s clash against Dundee United, with Ianis Hagi ruled out of the trip.
The Gers are set to travel to Tannadice in the early kickoff, with the reigning champions hoping to build on their impressive opening-day 3-0 victory.
However, following that convincing win over Livingston, Gerrard’s charges came back down to earth with a bang in midweek. A disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Swedish outfit Malmo in the first leg of their Champions League third-round qualifier has left Rangers with work to do in the reverse fixture.
The Liverpool legend was dealt a further setback as he confirmed that the Romanian playmaker won’t be available to face the Tangerines.
Steven Gerrard will be sickened
Hagi remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes against Malmo after pulling up in the warm-up, and the exciting Romanian forward is set to be sidelined once again this afternoon.
Kemar Roofe and Glen Kamara are set to return to the starting XI after missing the Malmo tie through injury, but the same can’t be said for Alfredo Morelos. The 25-year-old is set to return to training but is short of match sharpness, although he could be back in action for their crucial second leg tie in the Champions League qualifiers in midweek.
Gerrard addressed his side’s injury issues in yesterday’s press conference, saying: “We will be without Ianis Hagi. Roofe is available to return to the group. Kamara will return to the squad.
“Morelos is available but he will need a couple of sessions on his return. Ryan Jack will be another couple of weeks all being well.”
Hagi – hailed in the past by Gerrard as a “top talent” – needed just eight minutes to find the net against Livingston last week before being forced off, while his figures from last season showed how valuable a contribution he makes to the side. Only four Gers players scored more than his seven Premiership goals, while nobody could top his tally of 11 top-flight assists (WhoScored).
While Dundee United should be beatable considering that they began their campaign with a loss, Gerrard is no doubt a firm admirer of the 22-year-old judging by his comments above, and he will surely be sickened not to have the £21k-p/w Romanian to call upon this afternoon.
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