One-step forward, two steps back. That more or less sums up the Rangers career of Kemar Roofe with the latest injury issue confirmed.
Having only returned from the last lay-off, the Jamaica international attacker featured from the bench over the last week in the games against Dundee and Livingston. He was not involved in Napoli due to being omitted from the squad list for European games but it seems that would not have happened, regardless.
In what must be a bitter blow for the player as well as a massive disappointment for the fans, Giovanni van Bronckhorst today confirmed that Roofe has once again been ruled out.
The manager stated at the press conference ahead of the crucial Premiership clash against Aberdeen:
“Firstly, it’s very frustrating for Kemar. He has a history of injuries from the moment he came to this club, not only with me but also previously.”
“I’m mostly frustrated for Kemar himself because he works hard and he’s trying every time to come back and whenever he’s back it’s always a setback within a couple of weeks and that’s very frustrating for him.”
Doomed
That summary from the manager is telling. We all know how much of an asset he is for Rangers but more often than not, he is unavailable for selection. His issues aren’t getting better with little evidence to suggest that it will improve moving forward. The former Leeds and Anderlecht man is contracted at Ibrox until the end of next season however a free-transfer or settlement could be mooted for this coming Summer.
His substantial wages could be better used elsewhere in what is another sorry injury saga. Some suggest if he was fully fit over recent seasons, he would be in the Premier League and not in Belgium or Scotland but it’s just a shame all round.
Kemar Roofe is a very talented player whose body is not responding positively to the demands of professional football. Due to that, he cannot be relied upon and it is time for Rangers to plan without him. The situation with the 29-year old is likely to see Ibrox chiefs look to the transfer market for another striker option in due course.