Rangers injury lie of the land amid 6 key absences but belief remains ahead of Leipzig and Celtic blockbusters

There was a working theory Giovanni van Bronckhorst didn't have full trust of his Rangers squad during the early stages of his Ibrox tenure.

But the Dutchman, amid injury and necessity due to a loaded fixture calendar, has found extra options to keep his squad raring to go ahead of three fixtures for the ages.

Scott Wright, Steven Davis and Fashion Sakala all made their case for inclusion to start the upcoming Europa League semi finals against Leipzig and Sunday's last chance to lasso league leaders Celtic back in.

Van Bronckhorst's mild manners is underpinned by a determination not to use injuries as an excuse, but there's no doubt he's missing key men at a vital time.

Record Sport gives the Rangers state of play ahead of their blockbuster visit to Leipzig.

James Tavernier would make a compelling case for being the Ibrox side's most important player, however, the Colombian possesses a talismanic prowess which results in both goals and bumping defenders five yards away with his backside. Morelos' season after thigh surgery is over but the first team have rallied around amid El Bufalo's absence.

Yes, Rangers would possess an extra dimension when Morelos is leading the line but it's another striker's absence that feels more pronounced in there here and now.

Injury latest: Out for the season

The former Leeds striker silenced any remaining doubters over his suitability to fill a Morelos-shaped hole by bagging a hat-trick against St Mirren before netting the crucial strike against Braga in the Europa League quarter final epic at Ibrox.

He followed that up with a bruising effort when leading the line against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi final triumph at Hampden and looked like he had won over van Bronckhorst. But