Huge boost for Rangers second-place hopes, rivals admit problem
By Danny Wright
Rangers may be handed a lifeline in their quest to finish second in the Scottish Premiership as Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has admitted his squad is running thin through injuries.
Talking in the Daily Record, the Dons boss has said that Mark Reynolds and Ryan Jack are set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up injuries against Hamilton on Tuesday.
They join the likes of Jonny Hayes and Jayden Stockley on the club’s ever-growing injury list.
This will be a further boost to Rangers’ hopes of a top two-finish after Aberdeen slumped to a 1-0 defeat to Hamilton, who started the game bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
“I expect both players to be out for a period of time,” McInnes said to the Daily Record about Reynolds and Jack.
“We are hopeful Jonny Hayes won’t be out for too long but I think he will miss Sunday. Hopefully we might get Jayden back for Sunday because all of a sudden, the squad is really stretched.”
Gers caretaker boss Graeme Murty could end a run of two consecutive defeats on Wednesday night with a win over St Johnstone and could cut the gap between themselves and Aberdeen down to six points.
Rangers will have to hope for more slip-ups from McInnes’ side as their rivals have back-to-back home league games against Motherwell and Hearts coming up.
It is Rangers’ first season back in the top flight of Scottish football since 2012.
Their best hopes would be a second-place finish in a league which Celtic have made easy work of this season.
The Hoops are 24 points clear at the top of the league but could stretch that lead even more if they beat Inverness on Wednesday night.
An Old Firm clash between the two Glasgow clubs is on the horizon, with the two clubs set to meet at Celtic Park on March 12.
In other Rangers news, fans urge Murty to bring 21-year-old into starting 11 for St. Johnstone game.
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