Rangers captain James Tavernier has been ruled out of the upcoming Old Firm derby against Celtic due to an injury sustained in the club’s 2-2 draw with Motherwell. The injury is expected to keep Tavernier sidelined for several weeks, leaving manager Philippe Clement with a significant defensive headache. With Tavernier's absence, along with injuries to defenders John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, the Gers face a tough challenge ahead of the crucial match at Ibrox.
This blow to Rangers comes at a critical point in the season. They currently trail Celtic by 14 points in the Scottish Premiership, and a defeat in the derby could have a devastating impact on their title aspirations. Despite the growing pressure, Clement remains optimistic about his team’s ability to respond, especially with the potential return of Leon Balogun, who is recovering from his own injury. The manager expressed hope that the experienced defender could be fit in time to feature in the derby, offering a much-needed boost to his defensive options.
Clement confirmed the severity of Tavernier's injury, stating, "James has picked up an injury. We took a scan and there is clear damage, and he will be out for a few weeks." The manager acknowledged that Rangers have been hit by a series of setbacks over the past few weeks and months, which have compounded the team’s struggles. Despite these challenges, Clement is focused on rallying his players to deliver a strong performance against Celtic, who have dominated the Premiership this season.
Rangers have had a mixed run of results leading up to this crucial fixture. In their last match against Motherwell, they were booed off at half-time after failing to live up to expectations. The team has shown flashes of promise, but inconsistency has been a recurring issue, especially in key matches. Clement’s challenge is to lift his squad and find the right balance to get a result against their fiercest rivals.
The Old Firm derby has been an incredibly tough fixture for Rangers in recent years, with the club only securing one victory in their last 14 encounters with Celtic across all competitions. The solitary win came under Michael Beale in May 2023, a commanding 3-0 victory. Clement himself has yet to win a single Old Firm derby in six attempts since taking charge of Rangers, adding to the pressure mounting on his shoulders.
The historical context of Rangers’ struggles in the derby adds weight to the significance of this match. Only one manager in the club’s history, William Wilton, had a longer winless streak in Old Firm derbies, failing to defeat Celtic in his first eight attempts between 1890 and 1893. As it stands, Clement's inability to secure a victory in the fixture remains a concern for the Rangers faithful, who are hoping for a turnaround.
Clement has consistently stressed that the goals conceded by his team in recent matches were not down to clear mistakes or tactical errors but were instead the result of unfortunate circumstances. Nevertheless, he will need to find a way to shore up his defense and instill more confidence in his side as they prepare for the derby. With Tavernier's absence, the pressure will fall on the other members of the defensive unit to step up and deliver.
As Rangers prepare for one of their most challenging games of the season, the club and its supporters are hoping that the team can rally together and produce a strong response to the adversity they have faced in recent weeks. With the title race potentially slipping out of reach, this Old Firm derby could be a defining moment in the season for both the team and manager Philippe Clement.
