Rangers centre-back Russell Martin is a major doubt for the Old Firm derby on Sunday after suffering a back injury in training, according to the Scottish Sun.
The newspaper report that the 32-year-old enforcer was previously confident of overcoming the injury in time for the Celtic clash, but is now a doubt after sitting out of training on Thursday.
The Sun claim that Martin was instead given intense physiotherapy, and still retains a slight hope that he will be fit for Sunday’s match in which he is desperate to play.
It is said that Rangers believe the issue to be similar to an injury previously suffered by the defender, which ended up ruling him out for several weeks.
Martin’s injury is said to have been sustained while he was doing extra training with a club sport scientist after being rested during their Scottish Cup win over Falkirk.
The injury blow will reportedly mean youngster David Bates and veteran Bruno Alves revive their centre-back pairing from that win.
OPINION
Martin’s absence will be a blow to Rangers, but not an insurmountable one by any means. Alves and Bates played together last weekend, and there is no reason why they cannot put in a solid performance against the Hoops. In truth, in defence may be where the game is won for Rangers, as both teams have solid attacks, so it may come down to who is more solid at the back.