Rangers, Celtic and Hearts are locked in one of the most intense Scottish Premiership title races in decades, but Danny Rohl is now facing a number of injury problems ahead of Sunday’s trip to Falkirk.
Post-split fixtures confirmed for Rangers, Hearts & Celtic
The Gers will be at Falkirk twice in the space of a month as they will also face them in their final match of the season on May 16.
Celtic will host Hearts at Parkhead on the final day campaign in what could be a dramatic title showdown depending on results elsewhere.
|
Rangers’ post-split fixtures |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Motherwell (H) |
April 26 |
|
Hearts (A) |
May 4 |
|
Celtic (A) |
May 10 |
|
Hibernian (H) |
May 13 |
|
Falkirk (A) |
May 16 |
With six fixtures remaining, leaders Hearts are now just one point ahead of the Light Blues after dropping points last time out, with Celtic a further two points behind.
Rangers suffer Naderi injury blow
Rohl revealed Ryan Naderi has picked up a “serious” injury which casts doubt on his contribution to Rangers’ title run-in, while he is also sweating over the fitness of Tuur Rommens, Andreas Skov Olsen and Mikey Moore.
The 22-year-old striker, signed from Hansa Rostock in the winter transfer window, was taken off at half-time after scoring his first league goal in the 4-2 win over Dundee United at Ibrox last Saturday.
Speaking ahead of the Falkirk clash, Rohl said of Naderi: “Not well. We assessed him, it’s a serious one. We don’t know when he’s back.
“I think, in general, it is the kind of injury, a muscle injury, you have to look week by week.
“We have to re-scan him in two weeks and then we will know more about how long.”
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He’s been fantastic in front of goal this season.
Asked if there was hope that Naderi could return before the end of the season, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss said: “The hope is always there but I think we have to wait two weeks and then we see a little bit more, how it goes with the treatments, all those things.
“It’s never nice when you lose players from your squad. Sometimes in football it happens and, for this, we need everyone in this squad, as I said many times.
“I think Ryan has made a great impact since he arrived, not just the goals. He worked hard for this first goal but also a lot of work off the ball, against the ball, a lot of runs for the team.
“But it is football, we have to look for a new solution. We have a lot of players that are available. They’re ready for this and, yeah, we have to stick together.”
Title rivals Hearts are also facing the loss of one of their key players, with a thigh injury threatening to end Tomas Magnusson’s season, but any dropped points for Rangers in Stirlingshire would hand a huge advantage to both the Jambos and Celtic ahead of the split.