Rangers manager Derek McInnes has warned the Scottish club is playing with fire after an injury crisis left his squad desperately short of players.
The Glasgow club host Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox Stadium in a crucial Europa League qualifier, needing to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit without several key first-team players.
Striker Youssef Chermiti and Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens both suffered severe injury setbacks this week, dealing a major blow to McInnes ahead of a pivotal European fixture.
Chermiti is unlikely to play again this season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Rangers' 2-1 Premiership defeat against Hibernian at Ibrox last weekend. The forward has travelled to London to consult a specialist regarding his knee injury.
Rommens faces up to two months on the sidelines after picking up a groin strain. "Worst case, probably six to eight weeks. Best case, four to six weeks," McInnes said when asked for a timeline on the defender's recovery.
Defensive crisis at Ibrox
The injuries leave Rangers desperately short of options, particularly on the left side of defence. McInnes admitted that the lack of depth has put the club in a precarious position heading into European competition.
"We are really short on numbers," McInnes admitted. "We need a left-sided defender and we are keen to get that resolved as quickly as possible. With the numbers we have got there, we are playing with fire."
"Hopefully, we can react positively and quickly, because I think that is important. There have been a number of conversations. Defensively, there has always been a bit of concern," the manager added.
Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh has already pledged to finance squad improvements before the transfer window closes. "Andrew has already come out and said that we are going to get a significant number of players in. Hopefully, we can get those in," McInnes said. "Obviously, a couple of injuries to key players have set us back, but conversations are ongoing every day."
Rangers, who compete in the Scottish Premiership and play at the 50,000-capacity Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, are attempting to reach the group stage of the Europa League, UEFA's secondary European club tournament. Jagiellonia Bialystok travel from Poland holding a slim lead from the first leg.
Summer transfers and departures
Amid the injury blow, Rangers are nearing the completion of a £7million deal to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Couhaib Driouech. The attacker from the Dutch Eredivisie club is set to become the tenth summer signing brought into Ibrox during the current transfer window.
However, midfielder Mohamed Diomande has completed a £6million transfer to Turkish Super Lig club Corum, ending his two-and-a-half-year spell in Scotland. Diomande made 121 appearances for Rangers during his time with the Glasgow team.
At Corum, who were promoted to Turkey's top division last season for the first time in their history, Diomande will link up with Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, who previously played in Scotland for Edinburgh side Heart of Midlothian.
Attacking recruitment drive
The severe knee injury to Chermiti has forced Rangers' recruitment department to shift focus toward securing new central strikers before the transfer window shuts. "We are trying to get wingers in. It’s in the hands of the recruitment team," McInnes explained.
"Obviously No 9s are the hardest ones to get. We are looking for a bit more pace at the top end of the pitch and I know we are working hard to get as close to that as possible," McInnes added.
"It has changed a wee bit now in terms of the Youssef injury. That is obviously something we are going to have to zone in on. We are working hard and looking at options. It is up to us now to knuckle down, stay calm and work really swiftly in recruitment."
