Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces an uphill battle to secure Rangers the unlikeliest of victories against Ajax on Tuesday after yet more fitness doubts emerged in his ranks.
The Gers, who have endured a nightmare Champions League group stage campaign so far this season, can still qualify for the Europa League knockout stages under the Ibrox lights should they beat the Dutch giants by five goals or more. And despite how unlikely that eventuality may be, the Dutchman will need his strongest players available if he is to stand any chance of completing that feat. With an injury crisis at the heart of defence currently, Van Bronckhorst knows that the odds are stacked massively against him.
And in new a video clip broadcast by Sky on Monday afternoon, three of his main players - namely Ben Davies, Ridvan Yilmaz and John Lundstram - aren't in training ahead of the visit of Alfred Schreuder's side, plunging any hopes of a sensational scalping further into doubt.
Lundstram has been one of Rangers' biggest stars in European competitions verf the last year, being instrumental in their giant-killings against Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig with goals in either leg as the Light Blues marched on to the Europa League final. However, he picked up a fourth yellow card in just six Champions League games in Naples, and thus misses out due to suspension - although by missing out on training, he could well be on the treatment table as a precaution.
His absence in midfield could be sorely missed, although Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and James Sands could fill in. Yet Sands may have to start at centre-back instead - with Van Bronckhorst potentially using the American in defence with Davies also being absent from training.
As mentioned before, Rangers are undergoing a defensive crisis; Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and John Souttar are all injured. Ben Davies was left as the only senior centre-half at the club alongside youngster Leon King - but the former Liverpool defender trudged off in the weekend's 4-1 win over Aberdeen and has not been seen in Milngavie on Monday - meaning Sands may have to drop back.
If that wasn't enough anguish defensively, Ridvan Yilmaz also misses out with injury after going off against Aberdeen. Luckily enough, Borna Barisic is a senior replacement and thus he would fill in for the Turkish star; though it is not ideal for Van Bronckhorst with a treacherous league campaign to contend with.
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