NafisaRangers have been handed a worrying update ahead of their crucial Scottish Premiership clash with St Johnstone, with fresh doubts emerging over the fitness of key players at Ibrox.
Derek McInnes is desperate to get his side back to winning ways, but uncertainty surrounding Kevin Kelsy and an illness sweeping through the squad has created another headache for the Rangers boss.
The Light Blues were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by Dundee last weekend, dropping two valuable points after their impressive winning run across all competitions. With Celtic beating Hearts 7-1, Rangers have also seen their Glasgow rivals strengthen their position in the title race, leaving McInnes under pressure to ensure his team responds at Ibrox.
However, supporters have now been given another reason to worry, with former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson raising questions about Kelsy’s condition after the striker was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up against Dundee.
Derek Ferguson raises fresh concerns over Kevin Kelsy
Kelsy arrived at Rangers from Portland Timbers during the summer in a reported £9.5 million deal, with expectations that his physical presence and goalscoring ability would add a new dimension to the team’s attack.
The 22-year-old Venezuelan made an encouraging impression by scoring on his first full start against Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup. He subsequently found the net against Kilmarnock, giving supporters reason to believe he could become an important figure in McInnes’ attacking plans.
That made his omission from the starting XI against Dundee particularly surprising, especially as Rangers struggled to protect their advantage and eventually had to settle for a draw.
Speaking on the Open Goal podcast, Ferguson questioned whether the striker was struggling with a minor injury or had been affected by illness.
“Has Kelsy been off it? Is he carrying a niggle?” he said. “I thought before there was a bit of illness going round. “When I saw the team, I thought he must be struggling a bit.”
Ferguson’s comments have fuelled speculation about the striker’s fitness ahead of the St Johnstone encounter. However, neither his remarks nor McInnes’ previous selection decision confirms that Kelsy is carrying an injury.
That uncertainty is precisely what makes the situation concerning for Rangers supporters, who will want to see their summer signing available as the team attempts to recover from its disappointing result at Dundee.
McInnes delivers worrying squad update before St Johnstone clash
The concern surrounding Kelsy has also been accompanied by a wider fitness issue within the Rangers squad.
McInnes confirmed before Saturday’s match that a sickness bug had affected around half a dozen players during the week. More concerningly, the manager revealed that a key player had required medical attention, leaving his availability uncertain ahead of the game.
“There’s a bit of a bug going about,” the Rangers boss said. “There’s been half a dozen players or so. Even last night I got a call from the doctor about a key player as well. So we’re trying to minimise that. And work towards just tactically being the best as we can, coming into the game on Saturday and bringing a good performance.”
McInnes also indicated that one or two players who have regularly featured in his starting line-up could be doubts.
The manager is hoping to avoid major changes, but the situation means Rangers could face an uncomfortable selection decision at a time when they need a convincing response.
Tuur Rommens has also been affected by the illness, missing a midweek bounce match against Dundee despite the fixture being intended to help him regain match fitness. The left-back has trained since then, but the wider impact of the sickness bug remains an issue.
With several players potentially affected, McInnes must balance the need to field his strongest available team against the risk of rushing anyone who is not fully recovered.
Why Kelsy’s potential absence could hurt Rangers
Kelsy’s importance extends beyond the goals he has scored since arriving in Glasgow.
The striker has made five Scottish Premiership appearances, including three starts, and accumulated 256 minutes on the pitch. He has registered nine shots and an expected goals figure of 1.34 in the league, while his record of winning 16 of 19 aerial duels highlights the physical advantage he can provide.
Ryan Naderi could particularly benefit from having Kelsy alongside him. The Venezuelan offers Rangers a strong focal point in attack, capable of competing with centre-backs, holding up possession and creating opportunities for teammates to move forward.
Without that presence, Naderi risks becoming isolated against opposition defenders, making it more difficult for Rangers to sustain their attacking pressure.
Badredine Bouanani’s goal against Dundee has given McInnes another option in the final third, but restoring Kelsy could help Rangers maintain the two-striker partnership that offers them a more direct attacking threat.
The manager must now determine whether Kelsy’s previous absence was a tactical decision or whether his condition has genuinely prevented him from being involved more prominently.
Rangers fans await answers
Saturday’s meeting with St Johnstone presents Rangers with an opportunity to respond after dropping points against Dundee. But the latest fitness developments have complicated McInnes’ preparations and raised fresh questions about who will be available.
Ferguson’s comments alone do not establish that Kelsy is injured, and the manager has not publicly confirmed that the striker is suffering from a specific fitness problem. Nevertheless, the broader sickness issue means Rangers cannot take the availability of their regular starters for granted.
For a side chasing Celtic at the top of the table, another disappointing result would be an unwelcome setback. McInnes will hope the affected players recover in time and that his team can return to winning ways at Ibrox.
Rangers supporters will now be watching closely for the team news, particularly to discover whether Kelsy is fit enough to return to the starting line-up for a match that could prove important in their attempt to keep pace with their title rivals.
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