Rangers suffer major injury setback before Celtic double clash as mystery absentee identified

Danny Rohl kept his cards close to his chest — but it can now be revealed that it is Dujon Sterling who has suffered the latest setback.

Sterling is a major doubt for next month’s Old Firm double header after the unfortunate Rangers defender picked up yet another injury blow. The Ibrox boss admitted in his press conference that changes will be required for Sunday’s Premiership trip to Livingston, though he declined to name the players involved while confirming one could be sidelined for up to three weeks.

New signing Ryan Naderi is also carrying a minor issue. While he remains a doubt for the clash with Livingston F.C., he still has an outside chance of being available. Both players missed training on Friday.

The timing is far from ideal as Rangers aim to build momentum following their crucial win over Heart of Midlothian F.C.. For Sterling, it marks another frustrating interruption after he had only recently returned from an eight-month Achilles rupture, managing just 10 appearances since.

Rohl said: “We have to change some players. Well, I don’t want to — I have to. There are small injuries, but I cannot go into too much detail today. One player will be out for two or three weeks. The other is doubtful for Sunday. It could be two or three changes.”

There is some encouragement on the injury front, with Derek Cornelius and Connor Barron both nearing returns. Cornelius has resumed partial team training, while Barron could rejoin sessions next week if progress continues.

Rohl also warned his players not to underestimate struggling opponents — pointing to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal F.C.slipping up against Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. as a cautionary tale. He stressed that teams fighting near the bottom often have little to lose and can be especially dangerous.

With Rangers sitting just two points behind Hearts after their dramatic 4-2 victory, Rohl believes mentality and focus will be decisive in the title run-in.

“The mindset is there,” he said. “When you beat Celtic away and Hearts at home, that’s strong. But these are the games you must win. We have to keep our intensity because from now on, if you don’t win, it makes no sense what you did before.”