Rangers defender Borna Barisic will be missing from first-team action for a minimum of two weeks after picking up an injury on international duty, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
The Croatian international was substituted off during their match against Hungary on Sunday, suffering an apparent ankle problem.
It was clear from the treatment given in the initial footage he would be missing for the upcoming visit to Celtic Park, but he has now given a further timescale on when to expect him back in action.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the left-back explained:
It’s the same injury I had before on my left leg and I will miss a minimum of two weeks.
I’m sorry that I will have to skip the big derby with Celtic.
Unfortunately, it’s not the first time I have had to miss the biggest match in Scotland either.
Barisic has suffered injury problems all season and his update rules him out of matches against Celtic, Hearts and Motherwell, almost certain to miss some after the top six split too.
He’s gaining a reputation as being something of a sick note and there’s no doubt fans will be further frustrated by this latest injury problem.
Ultimately it is not his fault, but we have invested in his future and it’s beginning to look like we might not get much value out of his move from NK Osijek last summer.
Manager Steven Gerrard will now likely turn to stand-in left-back Andy Halliday who, while not natural in the position, has been performing decently of late.