- Ryan Naderi suffers thigh injury, with scan results set to determine severity and recovery timeline.
- Return could range from Motherwell match to pre-season depending on extent of injury.
- Rangers may rely on Chermiti, Miovski or tactical changes during crucial title run-in.
Reports have circulated that Rangers forward Ryan Naderi is set for a spell on the Ibrox sidelines due to injury.
The 22-year-old German striker netted his first Premiership goal against Dundee United on Saturday but was forced off due to a knock at the interval.
Sources from within the Rangers Training Centre have indicated that Naderi has been present throughout the week, and is moving unaided, but not involved in first-team training.
Injury history
Naderi has had several injuries so far in his career.
Several torn muscles during his spells with Borussia Monchengladbach and Hansa Rostock kept him sidelined on four separate occasions.
These spells out have ranged from two games to 17, and Danny Rohl will be hoping it is the former and not the latter this time out.
A separate muscle injury ended his campaign with Rostock last season, with a March injury leaving him crocked until September.
Thigh injury recovery typically takes 1–2 weeks for mild strains/contusions, 3–6 weeks for moderate injuries, and 3 months or more for severe tears or ruptures.
Rangers will be desperate to hear the scan results to confirm the damage.
A moderate knock could see him return for the crucial Old Firm clash at Celtic Park on May 10.
While, as noted earlier, a severe tear or rupture could see him sidelined until midway through pre-season.
The alternatives to Ryan Naderi
Rangers have two other options to play centre forward, with Rohl potentially needing to use both in his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation.
Youssef Chermiti came off the substitutes bench for Naderi against United, having picked up a facial injury himself while on international duty.
His link up play helped Rangers secure the three points in the second half.
However, he missed several chances, including one guilt-edged one-on-one effort right off United keeper’ Dave Richards.
Bojan Miovski is the other option available as a natural centre-forward.
The ex-Aberdeen hero has found opportunities, and starts in particular, hard to come by in recent months.
Rohl could be forced to trust the Macedonian in the run-in.
Other options include moving either Mikey Moore or Thelo Aasgaard further forward.
Youngster Josh Gentles can be utilised despite his loan with Alloa Athletic, under co-operation rules.
We will hear the full extent of Naderi’s injury when Rohl faces the media on Friday, ahead of Rangers’ final post-split Premiership fixture away to Falkirk on Sunday.
