NafisaRangers could be facing a major selection problem ahead of Sunday’s return Old Firm clash after Derek McInnes revealed that Ryan Naderi is now a doubt following the challenge which left the striker with an ankle problem.
Naderi was forced off during Rangers’ emphatic 3-0 victory over Celtic at Ibrox last weekend, with the incident involving Celtic midfielder Mika Baur becoming one of the more contentious moments of an otherwise dominant afternoon for McInnes’ side.
What happened next has now added another layer to the story.
Rangers are unhappy with the way the incident was handled, and McInnes has confirmed that the club has already been in contact with the Scottish FA over the challenge.
The Rangers boss stopped short of getting drawn into an extended argument about refereeing decisions, but his comments made it clear that he was far from satisfied with what happened to his player.
And with Naderi potentially missing Sunday’s league meeting at Celtic Park, the issue has become more than just a post-match talking point.
The forward initially attempted to continue after the challenge during the second half of last Sunday’s cup quarter-final, but was eventually substituted.
McInnes has now revealed the extent of the problem in blunt terms.
“Ryan’s ankle’s a mess. It was a mess, it was a poor challenge,” the Rangers manager said.
The challenge had already attracted attention after referee Nick Walsh awarded a free-kick to Celtic rather than penalising Baur. There was no on-field review, despite the incident being shown in replays.
Now Rangers want answers.
Asked whether he had personally sought an explanation over the decision, McInnes confirmed that the club had taken the matter up with the authorities.
“Well, I haven’t (sought an explanantion) but the club have,” he said.
“The club, (chief executive) Jim Gillespie, spoke to (referees’ chief) Willie Collum and the SFA about it. I’m really not happy with the challenge, but I’m not going to get caught up in referee chat.”
But it was his next comment which really highlighted Rangers’ frustration.
“I’m surprised that the referee wasn’t asked to look at that. I find it strange that it wasn’t. Ryan’s ankle’s a mess. It was a mess, it was a poor challenge.”
McInnes therefore appears particularly surprised that the incident did not result in the referee being sent to the pitchside monitor.
The challenge has already prompted debate over whether Baur should have faced stronger punishment. Former referee Mark Clattenburg said the incident did not meet the threshold for a straight red card but argued that at least a yellow card should have been shown.
For Rangers, however, the bigger concern now is Naderi’s availability.
The German striker has become an important option for McInnes, but his injury has left his participation in Sunday’s second meeting with Celtic uncertain.
“Sometimes these challenges can happen, but it didn’t look great, to be honest,” McInnes added.
“And Ryan is one of two players who’s a wee bit of doubt for the game on Sunday.”
That could leave Rangers with a significant issue up front.
Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti are already unavailable, meaning Naderi’s absence would leave McInnes with Kevin Kelsy and Bojan Miovski as his remaining recognised striker options.
The manager is therefore hoping that Naderi can recover in time.
“We don’t really have another like-for-like, but we’ll give him every chance,” McInnes said.
“We’ve had to cope without key players before. I’m hoping he can make it, but if he doesn’t, it will be somebody else’s opportunity.”
The timing could hardly be more significant.
Rangers head to Celtic Park looking to repeat the performance that saw them dismantle Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox last weekend, while Martin O’Neill’s team arrive under considerably more pressure after Thursday’s 3-1 Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros.
Naderi’s potential absence would therefore force McInnes to make another important attacking decision just days after his side produced their most impressive performance of the season.
And while McInnes insists he does not want to become consumed by refereeing matters, his comments have ensured that the Baur-Naderi incident will not simply disappear.
Rangers have already raised it with Willie Collum and the SFA.
Now they must wait to see whether Naderi’s ankle recovers sufficiently for him to play.
For McInnes, though, there is clearly one question that still bothers him: why was the referee never sent to the screen to look at it?
Nafisa
