Last Friday, as Rangers collectively made a gesture of respect following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, a clue was given regarding Jon McLaughlin’s impending absence from the first team.
The entire squad, as was the case for the B team separately, as well as the coaching and support staff gathered for a minute of silence after the passing of the monarch.
Here is the video as shared the club’s social media team.
A minute of silence observed by all teams at The Rangers Training Centre in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. pic.twitter.com/IxuseCZIbv
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 9, 2022
If you look closely to the righ hand side of the camera shot you will see Jon McLaughlin is not wearing boots or gloves, in contrast to Allan McGregor and Robby McCrorie who are dressed in their usual full training attire, like the majority of the squad.
Ianis Hagi and Kemar Roofe were pictured both in trainers, with their work likely continuing in the gym at Auchenhowie.
There were no obvious signs last week in Amsterdam that an injury had been sustained by McLaughlin, who will now be replaced by McGregor for the Champions League tie with Napoli.
The veteran goalie will be very determined to put on a display to make the manager think twice in the coming weeks about who his number one should be, having preferred the former Sunderland and Hearts player so far this term.
Up to now, McGregor’s only competitive appearance this season came in the Premier Sports Cup against Queen of the South at Ibrox recently and if he is to build on that, a clean sheet against high flying Serie A joint-leaders Napoli would go a long way toward that aim, in what will be another definite talking point tomorrow night.