NafisaRangers’ attention has already switched from their frustrating Premiership opener to a huge European test, but Derek McInnes could be facing an unexpected selection headache before his side even boards the plane.
The Light Blues travel to Poland next week for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round against Jagiellonia Bialystok, knowing a positive result could set the tone for the rest of the season.
However, after seeing his defensive options stretched against Dundee United, McInnes has now admitted Rangers may head into one of their biggest matches of the campaign without several key defenders.
The injury problems started during Friday night’s 1-1 draw at Tannadice, where new signing Ben Godfrey was forced off on his competitive debut after appearing to suffer a hamstring problem.
Ross McCrorie is also being carefully managed after struggling with a knee complaint, leaving Rangers worryingly short at the back ahead of their European trip.
Just when supporters thought the club’s latest signing would ease those concerns, another unexpected obstacle emerged behind the scenes.
McInnes has now revealed that summer arrival Olwethu Makhanya could surprisingly miss the clash with Jagiellonia—not because of injury, but due to an ongoing visa issue that could prevent him from travelling to Poland.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Rangers boss said:
“He [Godfrey] felt his hamstring tighten up, he was with the physio and the doctor there before I came in.»
“That would be a natural concern; we are not overly blessed with defenders, as you could see.
“Makhanya, who we have signed, still has a potential to maybe be a risk for getting a visa for Poland for the away game.
“And Ross McCrorie has been struggling a wee bit with a knee complaint.
“We don’t have our troubles to seek on that side of it, so it’s something we might need to address.”
The timing could hardly be worse for Rangers.
Makhanya only recently completed his move to Ibrox and was expected to provide immediate depth in central defence after arriving as one of McInnes’ priority signings this summer.
Instead, administrative complications could delay his European debut before he has even had the chance to establish himself in the squad.
With Godfrey’s fitness also uncertain and McCrorie still managing his knee problem, McInnes may have little choice but to reshuffle his defence once again as Rangers look to take a positive result back to Glasgow.
Supporters will now be hoping both the visa process and the club’s injury concerns are resolved quickly, with Rangers facing one of their most important fixtures of the season just days after opening their Premiership campaign.
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