Rangers injuries present Philippe Clement with 'biggest puzzle' ever in management
- Published
Philippe Clement (centre) inherited an injury hit squad this month
Philippe Clement has described Rangers' fitness problems as his "biggest puzzle" in management as he added another two players to the injury list.
Midfielder Nicolas Raskin will miss Wednesday's Scottish Premiership trip to Dundee after going off on a stretcher against Heart of Midlothian on Sunday with an ankle injury.
And defender John Souttar joined him on the sidelines with a muscle complaint.
"It is quite a puzzle," the former Club Bruges and Monaco head coach said.
"It is the biggest puzzle that I ever saw to be honest, with all the injuries and players dropping out."
Striker Kemar Roofe has rested as Rangers try to get to the root of his long-standing fitness issues, while defender Dujon Sterling and winger Rabbi Matondo remain out, with left-back Borna Barisic also missing recent games.
Striker Danilo came off the bench to score the late winner against Hearts wearing a mask to protect a recent facial injury and, while midfielder Tom Lawrence has returned to training, the trip to Tayside comes too soon for him.
Asked if he was surprised by the conditioning of some of the players at Ibrox since arriving to take over from Michael Beale, Clement said: "Next question please."
However, he bemoaned the loss of fellow Belgian Raskin "because he was doing good things and taking steps".
"I hope it is short term, but we will see the next couple of days how these things evolve," Clement said. "Tom is closer because he is training, but he is not fit enough to be in the squad.
"Danilo is ready to play. We will see what is important in this game, if it necessary that he starts or is ready to come on. It depends on the opponent and what profile you need. He is not ready for 90 minutes, that is logical.
"John Souttar will also not be available for the game with a muscle problem. Not a big one but not available for the game."
Clement hopes to find a lasting solution.
"It will be important that in every game we look at the minutes of the players and try to build their physical condition and robustness in the next couple of weeks and months to have a bigger squad available," he added.
"It is never short-term work, it is a long-term project, creating players ready for 90 minutes every three days for months."
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