Rangers Hit by Injury Wave as Danny Rohl Shares Player Dossier with Kevin Thelwell
Rangers manager Danny Rohl has revealed the detailed player dossier he recently handed to new director of football operations Kevin Thelwell, as the club battles an unexpectedly steep rise in injuries ahead of Saturday’s Premiership meeting with Livingston.
What began as a promising period of near-full fitness before the international break has quickly turned into a troubling spell of absences, with several key players now facing uncertain timelines.
Rohl confirmed that centre-back John Souttar, winger Mikey Moore and defender Derek Cornelius have all been sidelined with muscle-related injuries, the exact severity of which remains unclear. The most concerning of the trio appears to be Cornelius, who is now set to consult a specialist.
The Canadian international’s issue, Rohl suggested, “could be a serious one, a big one,” raising fears that the defender may be ruled out for an extended period during a crucial phase of the season.
Souttar and Moore are also facing spells on the sidelines. While Rohl stopped short of offering specific recovery windows, the head coach acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding both players’ returns. “John is out with a muscle injury. We have to wait to see how long.
Mikey’s out with a muscle injury. How long, it’s difficult to say at the moment,” he said. The lack of clarity will likely frustrate supporters, particularly as Rangers continue to chase consistency following the break.
Compounding the issue is the growing list of additional absentees. Striker Youssef Chermiti is struggling to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend, leaving Rohl with limited attacking options if the forward fails to recover in time. Back-up goalkeeper Liam Kelly is also dealing with a fitness concern, although the extent of his problem remains undisclosed.
Perhaps the most worrying long-term update concerns young midfielder Bailey Rice, who Rohl fears “could be out for a long while.” The promising academy graduate had been tipped to earn more first-team involvement this season, but his campaign now appears to be on hold as he begins a prolonged recovery process.
The injury surge adds fresh significance to Rohl’s recent discussions with Thelwell, who has rejoined the club in a senior leadership role tasked with shaping Rangers’ sporting strategy.
Rohl confirmed that he had provided Thelwell with an extensive dossier covering the current squad, including assessments, workload data and long-term planning notes. The aim, he said, is to ensure full alignment as the club prepares for the January transfer window and evaluates the robustness of its squad depth.
“Before the international break, we had nearly no injuries,” Rohl reflected, acknowledging the frustration of the current situation. Now, with multiple players sidelined and Livingston looming, the manager must quickly adapt.
The coming weeks will offer a stern test not only of Rangers’ resilience but of the new partnership at the top of the club’s footballing structure.