Michael Beale has branded Steven Davis as "irreplaceable" as he revealed the midfielder will undergo surgery next month.
The midfielder suffered a serious knee injury in Rangers training and will miss the rest of the season.
Beale previously confirmed Davis would be sidelined after landing awkwardly in training.
Now, it has been revealed that Davis will go under the knife next month to fix the injury issue.
But Beale won't have the use of 'irreplaceable' Davis for the remainder of this season.
The gutted Rangers boss explained: "It's a huge blow for Davis. I was devastated for him. In early Jan he will have an operation.
"He is someone you want to keep around the club, I knew from my time previously he is able to detach himself as a player and see the game. He is still as sharp as ever.
"Davis is very assured and calm. You can't replace a player like him, we will have to replace his slot in the team in different ways.
"To play the number of International games he has shows how fit he has stayed over the years. He has had Christmas to enjoy with his family."
Scott Arfield was similarly disappointed to discover the extent of Davis' injury blow.
But he insisted the midfielder has "no enemies" at the club as he talked up the key role Davis can still play even when unavailable on the pitch.
"Davis is such a huge character on the pitch and in the changing room. He is still a key part of our team and we will stay around him and keep his spirit high. He can still help us out with his experience as is a key figure for us on and off the pitch.
"Davis has no enemies at this club, everybody loves him."
Arfield also urged the senior Rangers players to help younger Ibrox starlets to perform in the absence of Davis.
He said: "The senior players all now need to step up and help the younger players in Davis' absence.
"He (Davis) is hugely respected across the club and is someone everyone looks to across the younger age groups."
