Rangers have suffered yet another blow as goalkeeper Jack Butland will miss the eagerly anticipated Old Firm clash against Celtic, scheduled for January 2. Butland was hospitalized due to internal bleeding in his leg and has since been released, but he remains sidelined for the match.
The 31-year-old shot-stopper revealed on Instagram, "I’ve suffered a significant bleed to my leg which needed hospital attention. Thankfully that's now under control and will lead to a full recovery sooner rather than later. Needless to say, it’s come at an awful time and I was fully focussed on helping us as a club." Butland expressed gratitude for the well-wishes and emphasized the importance of supporting his teammates during this challenging time.
Butland's absence marks the second significant setback for manager Philippe Clement, following captain James Tavernier's injury ruling him out just days before the derby. With the two leaders unavailable, Rangers face pressure as they trail Celtic by 14 points and seek to break a seven-match winless streak against their rivals.
Liam Kelly is set to start in goal during Butland's absence, making his derby debut against Celtic. Kelly made his Rangers debut only recently, appearing in the victory over Dundee on December 21. The young goalkeeper will step up at Ibrox, where Clement acknowledges the need for other players to take on leadership roles.
Clement stated, "Yes, of course, it’s new for this group of players. Some guys are taking really good steps. Nico Raskin is growing more and more the last couple of months, and you need several leaders on the pitch to play at the level Rangers want to play." He is counting on Kelly to replicate the leadership qualities he has displayed off the pitch recently.
Rangers confirmed Butland's status on social media, stating: "The goalkeeper suffered an internal bleed in his leg which required hospital treatment, but he has since been released and is recovering. Everyone at Rangers wishes Jack a speedy recovery." The news paints a grim picture for Rangers, who are coming off disappointing results, including recent defeats to St Mirren and draws with Motherwell.
Celtic, led by Brendan Rodgers, have been enjoying promising form, winning their last two matches with commanding 4-0 victories. This gives them significant momentum as they prepare to face Rangers. The previous league meeting between the two clubs saw Celtic triumph 3-0, adding to the pressure on the Rangers squad.
Rangers have recovered from their earlier struggles to put themselves back on track. Sadly, the absence of both Butland and Tavernier piles more pressure on the remaining squad members who need to rally together for this must-win match. Fans will be hoping for inspiration from Kelly and other leaders on the pitch as Rangers aim for their first win against Celtic in far too long.
This edition of the Old Firm Derby presents itself as not merely another match but as a pivotal moment for Rangers, both to regain momentum and prove their resolve under adversity. With the stakes high and tensions at boiling point, the brewing showdown is what football fans live for.
Rangers will have to dig deep if they hope to turn their fortunes around and reclaim some pride against their fierce rivals. The fans will undoubtedly be rallying behind their team, hoping for strong performances from the stepping-up squad members.