Breaking: Clement Unveils Rangers’ Latest Injury Woes
Ben Davies
The central defender has missed every Rangers game stretching back to the Viaplay Cup Final win in December.
It’s actually not totally clear what Davies’ issue has been but he is now back in the squad for the Ayr United encounter.
Philippe Clement told the press: “Ben Davies will be in the selection again for the first time.”
Tom Lawrence
The 30-year-old Welshman is a class act when playing for Rangers but unfortunately hasn’t been doing that enough this season due to a number of injury setbacks.
However, Clement is now trying to manage his minutes and while he is not injured for the Ayr game, he will not be available to play.
Clement noted: “Tom Lawrence is not (available) but that is more like a precaution like we did with Ryan Jack in the weekend. (He) has played a lot of minutes so we are giving them enough recovery so we can build them.”
Ryan Jack
The midfielder was rested for the win over Aberdeen as a way of managing his recovery but will be in the squad to face the Honest Men from Ayrshire.
Clement said: “Ryan Jack is back in the selection. It’s a step by step story. For them (Jack and Lawrence) right now it is like a preparation. Now it is not like a normal season where you are in top shape who can do all the games.
“They have came back from longer injuries and they both have a history of injuries that are recurring. So we need to be careful with them and there is good communication with the medical and performance staff around that and I need to make a clear plan for them.”
Three Lions goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson admitted during the week that the Rangers goalkeeper was back on the England “radar”.
Claiming that Jack Butland’s performances at Ibrox were doing his chances of making the squad in Germany a “power of good” in an interview with the Daily Record, it’s clear the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper is making the right kind of waves at Wembley.
England manager Gareth Southgate – as quoted by the Times – has also been speaking directly about Jack Butland and the Rangers goalkeeper comes out of it looking very good indeed.
“We have to make sure we’re watching everybody,” claims Southgate. “Jack is included in that because he’s playing at a big club and is an experienced goalkeeper.”
Jack Butland has nine caps for England but hasn’t been called up to a squad for six years.
But the other two main options – namely Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone – are not getting enough minutes at either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
It’s opened the door to Jack Butland and – whatever way you spin this – it’s clearly a positive thing for both Rangers and the player himself.
The former Stoke, Crystal Palace and Manchester United goalkeeper has restarted his career in Glasgow and the sounds coming from the England set-up appear to validate the move.
This sends a message to would-be Rangers players that if they perform at Ibrox – as Butland is clearly doing – then their status in Scotland won’t ultimately deny them international opportunities.
Rangers too will benefit from the fact that Jack Butland will need keep up his fine form if he stands any chance of being called up for England duty.