Rangers hit with three-man injury and AFCON two-month blow | OneFootball

Rangers have been hit with a massive blow as the injury and absence list grows by the week. The latest setback involves Oliver Antman, Nasser Djiga and Mohamed Diomande all ruled out of upcoming matches. Antman faces a long spell out until February, while Djiga and Diomande will join their nations for AFCON in January. This deepens Rangers’ growing crisis and forms the heart of the Rangers injury crisis.

The squad already sits stretched. Derek Cornelius and John Souttar remain unavailable after muscle problems, leaving the defence fragile. Youssef Chermiti also returned from international duty with a knock before missing Falkirk through illness. Every week brings another issue, leaving Danny Rohl to manage a group low on numbers and luck, as Ibrox Noise pointed out after the last team update.

Depth stretched beyond comfort

Antman’s injury exposes the thin layer of wide options. His form had not exploded yet he gave balance and pace. Losing him for two months strips another piece from Rohl’s already fragile puzzle. Rangers now rely heavily on Mikey Moore (himself a doubt after the break) and Djeidi Gassama (who was benched for Falkirk over a family issue). Both have shown glimpses of class but remain young. Therefore Rangers need consistency from players still learning top-level demands, something Ibrox Noise warned about before Braga.

Djiga and Diomande heading to AFCON worsens matters. The duo form part of the team’s physical core. Djiga’s power at the back and Diomande’s energy in midfield give Rohl valuable bite. Their absence leaves Rangers lighter during a crucial period. The January fixture list looks brutal with league, cup and Europe all colliding, a pressure mirrored in Rangers News.

Defensive stability under threat

Cornelius and Souttar’s injuries hurt the side’s shape and rhythm. Both defend aerially and lead the line well. Losing both means reshuffling every match. This instability damages the chemistry that Rohl seeks to build. Every defensive partnership looks temporary and forced. That uncertainty shows in recent performances where communication faltered under pressure, as Sky Sports reported during the last review of the manager’s injury update.

Rangers injury crisis grows as each department suffers. From defence to attack there are gaps everywhere. Chermiti’s ongoing fitness and illness problems further weaken the forward line. The club needs him fit to give variety and height up front. Yet his recent setbacks add another question for the manager, one noted by The Scotsman when examining Rangers’ international setbacks.

Rohl faces defining month

The next few weeks may define Rohl’s first season. He must keep results coming despite depleted resources. Training loads must stay measured while morale remains high. January will test Rangers’ resilience and depth. Supporters will look for strong leadership as the squad fragments.

Rangers injury crisis now stretches belief. Losing Antman, Djiga and Diomande at once compounds earlier setbacks. With Cornelius, Souttar and Chermiti also missing, the club stands on the edge of an endurance test. The coming month will reveal how deep Rohl’s rebuild truly runs.