Rangers plunged into injury sweat before Aberdeen as Philippe Clement rhymes off the fallen who are a doubt

Philippe Clement admits Rangers are facing a Pittodrie injury sweat.

The under-pressure Ibrox gaffer takes his side north to face Jimmy Thelin’s dazzling Dons on Wednesday in a clash that could have major ramifications for his future in Govan. The Belgian boss has huge respect for the an Aberdeen side he regards as the real deal having watched them mount a remarkable nine-game unbeaten to surge to the top of the table alongside Celtic.

But he confessed he has no idea if he’ll have key men John Souttar and Tom Lawrence back for the tough Granite City test after both men sat out yesterday’s nervy 2-1 win over St Mirren. Souttar was stood down from the meeting with Stephen Robinson’s Buddies on doctors orders, while Lawrence was missing having limped off against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday night.

Clement said: “John couldn't play today. The medical staff and performance staff were really clear about that, that if we put him on the pitch it was a big risk for an injury. So that's why I didn't do it.

“Will he be OK for Wednesday? That I will see in the next few days. I don't know if Tom is [available either], I don't know, to be honest.”

What Clement was clear on is that his team will have to be far sharper against Aberdeen than they managed against the Buddies. The Ibrox faithful thought their team had turned a corner after savaging Steaua 4-0.

But they were back to their laboured worst during a drab opening 45 minutes as they hosted their Paisley rivals from along the M8. Mohamed Diomande did grab an early equaliser but it was cancelled out by Alex Gogic’s thumping header.

It was only when substitute Cyriel Dessers charged into the box to set up Vaclav Cerny for his sixth goal of the season that the Rangers faithful