Rangers' anxious wait for latest injury update as Steven Gerrard reveals minimum timescale for sidelined duo

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is hopeful Ryan Jack has spared himself another lengthy spell on the sidelines by quickly recognising his latest injury problem.

Ryan Jack cuts a disconsolate figure as he leaves the pitch after just 27 minutes of Rangers' Premiership match against Dundee United at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group)

Jack was substituted after just 27 minutes of Rangers’ 4-1 win over Dundee United at Ibrox after feeling discomfort in a calf.

The Scotland midfielder only returned to action last month after missing 13 games because of a long-standing knee issue.

It’s another concern for Gerrard who confirmed that captain James Tavernier and striker Kemar Roofe will both be missing for at least the next two weeks after they had scans on the respective knee and calf injuries they suffered in last Thursday’s 4-3 Europa League win over Royal Antwerp in Belgium.

“We’ll send Ryan for a scan in the next 24 hours,” said Gerrard. “We're hoping he has reported the injury before it's become a bigger problem.

“He's felt some tightness in the calf. But until we get a scan on it we won't know the extent of it.

“I'm disappointed to see him go off because he's come back from the previous injury really bright. Everyone knows how important he is to us. Fingers crossed the outcome of that scan is positive rather than negative.

“James and Kemar will miss the next couple of weeks at least. It's difficult to put an exact date on their return but they will certainly miss the next couple of weeks. All being well, we should see them in two to three weeks.”

Rangers moved a step closer to the Premiership title as goals from Ianis Hagi, Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Alfredo Morelos made it 15 wins out of 15 at home in the Premiership this season.

Nigerian international Aribo was the outstanding player on view and earned warm praise from his manager.

“In terms of Joe, the real Aribo is back now,” said Gerrard. “At the beginning of the season he suffered the first injury of his career and it's a big shock to the system.

“But now you see the real Aribo. Power, strength, bursts from midfield and skills – and now letting shots go because he's got the quality.

“It was a fantastic strike and he's back for real now.”

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