Losing 32-yr-old to injury would be a massive blow for Rangers
COMMENT
Rangers could be facing a second injury blow to a defender after Russell Martin was withdrawn from the Scotland squad to face Costa Rica and Hungary – and it couldn’t have come at a worse time for Gers boss Graeme Murty.
Martin missed the Old Firm clash with Celtic but returned to the starting XI to face Kilmarnock on Saturday before the Scottish FA confirmed he had been withdrawn on Sunday night.
The 32-year-old has done well for the Gers since arriving on loan and losing him at the same time David Bates faces six weeks or more out with an ankle injury is the last thing the Gers need.
Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso haven’t been good enough – and somehow manage to make each other worse when they play together – and Murty will be hoping he doesn’t have to start them against Motherwell on March 31st.
The only slight positive for the Gers is that they don’t play for another two weeks so should hopefully have Martin – and maybe even Ross McCrorie – back available for selection.
With an Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final coming up soon after that, the Gers can’t possibly go to Hampden with the Portuguese duo in defence and stand any chance of a win.
In other Rangers news, fans have demanded that the club signs this Old Firm scourge in the summer, claiming he is better than Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham.
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