As the Scottish Premiership season ramps up, manager Derek McInnes faces a significant tactical test at Ibrox as he manages a growing injury list. With Rangers pushing for consistency across domestic and European competitions, the fitness of several vital first-team members remains a central talking point for the coaching staff and supporters alike. A quintet of key players is currently sidelined with varying timelines, leaving McInnes to carefully rotate his squad while anticipating the gradual welcome back of his stars over the coming months.
At the top of the concern list is captain and star forward Lawrence Shankland, who suffered a serious thigh injury during autumn match action. Following consultations with specialists, Shankland underwent surgery to repair the recurring issue, effectively ruling him out for three to four months. McInnes and the medical team are taking a cautious approach to ensure a complete recovery, aiming to have the talismanic striker back in a blue jersey shortly after the New Year. His return for the second half of the campaign will be crucial to bolstering the Light Blues’ attacking options.
In midfield, Australian international Cammy Devlin was recently added to the treatment room after picking up a hamstring injury that did not require surgery. Devlin is facing around two months on the sidelines, pointing toward a December return date. Joining him on the recovery path is versatile midfielder Ross McCrorie, who sustained a training ground injury and is expected to remain unavailable until late November. Despite these absences, McInnes has expressed confidence in the squad’s mid-park depth to navigate the busy fixture schedule ahead.
Further up the pitch, Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota continues his recovery process after undergoing groin surgery, targeting a return toward the tail end of the year. Meanwhile, long-term casualty Youssef Chermiti remains on the road back from a cruciate ligament injury, with the club carefully monitoring his progress as he works through intensive rehabilitation. Though Chermiti’s return is still a long way off, having a clear recovery trajectory provides optimism for his eventual integration back into squad training.
On a more positive note for the Ibrox faithful, defender Dujon Sterling has recently returned to full training after overcoming his own fitness setback, giving McInnes an immediate boost in defensive cover. While dealing with multiple key absentees is never ideal, the staggered return dates offer light at the end of the tunnel for Rangers. If McInnes can maintain momentum through this testing period, welcoming back his core stars over the winter schedule could provide the perfect springboard for a strong title push.
