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Philippe Clement has confirmed that Leon Balogun was forced off injured for Rangers at half-time of their 4-1 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday 5 May and will be ruled out for rest of season’

But it was reported last month that Farke started in the center of defense alongside John Souttar in place of Connor Goldson, who is out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

However, Balogun left the game at halftime and was replaced by Ben Davies at Ibrox. The manager later revealed, as reported by Four Lads Had A Dream on May 5, that Balogun’s withdrawal was due to a “small muscle injury,” dealing a blow to plans for Sunday’s Old Firm match at Parkhead against Celtic.

Rangers injury curse strikes again ahead of Celtic showdown

Rangers’ injury situation has been atrocious thus far this season, and if Clement hopes to win the championship on his first try, he will have had to overcome great odds.

Danilo and Oscar Cortes have also been declared out for the remainder of the season, along with Goldson. Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima may return before the season finishes, although it is unlikely that they will do so before Celtic.

Although Ryan Jack and Ridvan Yilmaz are training, it is unlikely that they will be able to play the full 90 minutes in the season’s biggest game, therefore Clement wants as little interruption as possible in the week preceding the game.

Fortunately for Clement and Rangers, Davies scored his first goal after coming off the bench, and Souttar also hit the back of the net, so they will go into the match full of confidence.

That is necessary in a match with such high stakes and an antagonistic atmosphere, but losing a player with Balogun’s level of experience and form is a serious setback.