Rangers starlet Alex Lowry was in line to start against Partick Thistle before a injury setback, Michael Beale has revealed.
The talented youngster, 19, could have featured in the starting line-up at Ibrox but was ruled out after limping out of a training session on Saturday.
Boss Beale revealed the creative midfielder left the club's Auchenhowie base in a protective boot after the injury problem flared up yesterday.
Similarly, Connor Goldson only made the bench at Ibrox due to a minor calf injury with Scott Arfield not fit enough to feature and Fashion Sakala given time off after his wife gave birth.
"I think our squad is looking quite strong in attacking positions at this moment in time," said Beale on BBC Sportsound before kick-off.
"Connor Goldson had a slight issue with a calf problem so there was no point risking it.
"Young Alex Lowry yesterday was likely to start but had to go off in training and he left the training ground in a boot, so that was unfortunate.
"And Scott Arfield unfit. Otherwise, everybody else that is available is in the squad today.
"Sorry, I missed one, Fashion Sakala who obviously was away cause his wife had a baby we gave him a few days to go and see."
Refusing to dwell on those ruled out, Beale added: "I'm excited, it's a view to the future or an eye to it if you like with Nico Raskin, Todd Cantwell, Ianis Hagi and Antonio Colak."
Lowry is a notable absence for Rangers with supporters keen for the youngster to be given the increased opportunity under Beale.
And the Ibrox boss insisted he sees a big future for the midfielder at Rangers as he brushed off the latest injury knock as just part of the "trials and tribulations" of being a young player.
"He has had a start and a couple of substitute appearances and he was training really well this week," said Beale of Lowry's role at Rangers. "He has risen to the challenge of the players coming in and the players getting fit.
"There are some areas he has got to work on but it is the same with every player - most of the players playing today have got that.
"He was close to starting today but he had to come out of training yesterday - that's all the trials and tribulations of being a young player on his journey.
"But I have spoken before about how I think he can be a big player for us in the future."
