Sunday, December 29, 2024

Rangers sweat over key duo’s fitness before Celtic Premier Sports Cup Final

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Rangers will face a nervy wait to discover if a key duo will be fit enough to face Celtic in this weekend’s Premier Sports Cup Final.

The Ibrox outfit put in a strong shift in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the Europa League last night and manager Philippe Clement highlighted Gers’ ‘strong point’ from the game.

However, fans may now be wondering if the Euro result came at a cost with two major players within the squad now facing an anxious fitness battle to be ready for the Hampden final on Sunday.

John Souttar went down injured and had to be replaced before the half-time whistle against Spurs in what was a blow to their evening.

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Then, after the break, goal scorer Hamza Igamane also picked up a knock.

And while Clement will be hoping neither are significant injuries, the Belgian could not confirm the extent of either issue with the medical staff still to get a good look after full-time.

He did admit it would “ease his mind” looking towards the derby day cup final if he had a diagnosis early doors, but he acknowledged the difficulty of that happening.

Now it’s a waiting game for the pair who have become vital components of Rangers‘ system and Clement believes no matter what happens – or who plays – his side will give their all at the national stadium.

John Souttar and Hamza Igamane both picked up knocks vs Spurs

Asked about the pair’s injuries, Clement responded: “Your first question about John and Hamza, I cannot say anything for the moment, so it’s too close after the game.

“I wish I could because that would ease my mind also towards tomorrow but it’s not the case so we will see in the next two days how it is with them.

“And about freshness, we’re not going to think about that.

Philippe Clement was asked about injury issues before Celtic clash

“We’re going to recover as fast as possible and best as possible and we’re going to throw all our energy into that game at Hampden.

“To give our fans again the good feeling that they had last season in this League Cup.

“And it’s good in that way also, this good performance that players can have the next couple of days, also a lot of belief in what they are doing individually and also together to play a really good game against Celtic.”

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