Rangers' Danilo and Tom Lawrence out until after winter break
- Published
Rangers forward Danilo (left) played 71 minutes against Hearts
Rangers forward Danilo and midfielder Tom Lawrence have been ruled out until after the winter break with injury.
The pair will miss the next eight matches, including the Europa League group finale at Real Betis, the League Cup final against Aberdeen, and the Old Firm derby at Celtic Park.
Brazilian Danilo, 24, picked up a knee injury during Wednesday's 1-0 win at Hearts and may require surgery.
Manager Philippe Clement says signing a forward is a priority next month.
Danilo, who previously missed a spell this season with a cheekbone injury, has scored six goals in 20 games since his summer arrival.
Lawrence was forced off in the first half at Tynecastle with a muscle problem. The Welshman, 29, has featured 19 times since joining Rangers in the summer of 2022, missing most of his debut campaign with a knee problem.
Clement, whose side host Dundee on Saturday, said: "Tom will be out for sure until the winter break and Danilo will also be out until that time so that is not so good.
"Danilo has a problem with his knee because of a bad tackle in the game, an unlucky situation, part of football. The chances are he requires surgery so yes, it could be long term.
"It is a big blow for the players because they were really motivated, they were performing well and it is now time to focus on the guys who are fit because we have really important games now.
"I expect all the team to take responsibility in our attacks and I expect all the team to take responsibility in our defending also."
Kemar Roofe replaced Danilo in Edinburgh but Clement believes the Jamaica international is "not fit to pay for 90".
Abdallah Sima joined top scorer James Tavernier on 12 goals in midweek and Clement said: "I don't want to put all the pressure on Sima to score all the goals."
Rangers are bidding for a place in the knockout rounds when they face Real Betis away in Thursday's Europa League match, then meet Aberdeen in the Viaplay Cup final next Sunday.
They also take on St Johnstone, Motherwell, Ross County, Celtic and Kilmarnock before the mid-season hiatus starts on 3 January.
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