Philippe Clement is cautiously optimistic about the return of his sidelined Rangers players in time for the upcoming cup final showdown against Celtic.
Navigating a substantial injury list during the crucial stage of the season, the Belgian manager faced the midweek challenge against Dundee with a depleted squad missing a full starting XI. Despite this, the return of Abdallah Sima from the bench brought a glimmer of hope, while Ridvan Yilmaz’s presence at left-back provided a positive note.
Looking ahead to the much-anticipated Scottish Cup clash, Clement is banking on the potential inclusion of Leon Balogun and several others, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation by the medical team in the coming days.
Expressing his aspirations for the return of key players, Clement shared, “I hope. We will see. It was encouraging that Abda and Ridvan got some game time today. As for Leon Balogun, we are hopeful for his return as well. This week will be crucial in determining our squad’s availability.”
With uncertainties still looming, Clement stressed the importance of assessing the players’ fitness levels in collaboration with the medical and performance staff. When questioned about the deadline for players to prove their fitness, Clement remained cautious, acknowledging the fluidity of the situation until the eleventh hour.
