There was a working theory Giovanni van Bronckhorst didn't have full trust of his Rangers squad during the early stages of his Ibrox tenure.
But the Dutchman, amid injury and necessity due to a loaded fixture calendar, has found extra options to keep his squad raring to go ahead of three fixtures for the ages.
Scott Wright, Steven Davis and Fashion Sakala all made their case for inclusion to start the upcoming Europa League semi finals against Leipzig and Sunday's last chance to lasso league leaders Celtic back in.
Van Bronckhorst's mild manners is underpinned by a determination not to use injuries as an excuse, but there's no doubt he's missing key men at a vital time.
Record Sport gives the Rangers state of play ahead of their blockbuster visit to Leipzig.
Alfredo Morelos
James Tavernier would make a compelling case for being the Ibrox side's most important player, however, the Colombian possesses a talismanic prowess which results in both goals and bumping defenders five yards away with his backside. Morelos' season after thigh surgery is over but the first team have rallied around amid El Bufalo's absence.
Yes, Rangers would possess an extra dimension when Morelos is leading the line but it's another striker's absence that feels more pronounced in there here and now.
Injury latest: Out for the season
Kemar Roofe
The former Leeds striker silenced any remaining doubters over his suitability to fill a Morelos-shaped hole by bagging a hat-trick against St Mirren before netting the crucial strike against Braga in the Europa League quarter final epic at Ibrox.
He followed that up with a bruising effort when leading the line against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi final triumph at Hampden and looked like he had won over van Bronckhorst. But Roofe suffered a fresh injury blow and his knee injury will see him almost certainly miss the next two games against Leipzig and Celtic.
Injury latest: In contention to return for Leipzig home leg on May 5
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey's season appeared to be in serious doubt as he trudged off the park against Celtic with his head buried under his shirt. The Juventus loanee was rewriting his Rangers story amid regular game time but his own injury demons once again surfaced at the national stadium.
Initial fears were his muscle knock was season ending but van Bronckhorst revealed Ramsey remains in contention for a return when the Germans head to Ibrox.
Injury latest: In contention to return for Leipzig home leg on May 5
Filip Helander
Morelos' ability on the pitch is coveted but what makes his absence so pronounced is the fact he has remained injury free for almost all of his five years in Glasgow. That's not the case with Ramsey, Roofe and also Filip Helander. The Sweden international was omitted from the Europa League squad amid his comeback from his previous injury before a foot injury ended his season.
The towering defender was sent to the hospital in a moon boot and the worrying signs were confirmed after a scan. Helander is a key man but his inability to stay fit undersells a player who has produced a series of towering displays in Light Blue since arriving in 2019.
Injury latest: Out for the season
Ianis Hagi
Ianis Hagi's legendary dad Gheorghe hinted earlier this month that his son would be in the mix to return before the end of the season. Hagi Jr is undergoing intensive rehab after his knee surgery but it would be a remarkable comeback to return to game action over the next four weeks.
A more realistic goal will be hitting the ground running for pre-season.
Injury latest: Not confirmed out for the season but a long shot to return
Leon Balogun
Not an injury but Leon Balogun's absence against Celtic could prove crucial. With fitness issues mounting and the games monumental - Balogun's absence will be even more pronounced as he gets set to miss the crunch title clash at Parkhead.
He copped a one-game ban for the straight red tackle against Motherwell. Rangers retain the right to appeal, of course, but Ryan Porteous is the most recent example of the SFA taking a dim view and increasing suspensions when they see fit. He's a good bet to start in Leipzig but Rangers would be left having to have a major think if Borna Barisic or Calvin Bassey suffer a setback before the trip to Parkhead.
Latest: Balogun given one game ban but Rangers retain right to appeal
