Celtic FC and Rangers FC are set to face each other in the season’s first Old Firm Derby this weekend and before Wednesday it seemed as if the Light Blues were slight favourites to win the tie.
But just three days before the high profile clash it seems that the tide is slowly shifting in favour of the Hoops.
Both the Glasgow outfits are in action this Thursday in the Europa League playoffs before taking on each other in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
And talking to the press, before their clash versus FC Ufa, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has revealed that midfielder Lassana Coulibaly is set to miss the game since he is yet to recover from his thigh injury.
“Lassana is doubtful, very doubtful. The injury has come with more complications than we originally thought,” Gerrard said.
“The physio and doctor are doing everything they can to get him back as quickly and safely but he is a big doubt for Ufa.”
Steven Gerrard confirms Lassana Coulibaly is 'a major doubt' for crucial Rangers double-header as midfielder struggles to shake off injuryhttps://t.co/a2fvprjFld pic.twitter.com/2qFQ8sD69i
— Daily Record Sport (@Record_Sport) August 28, 2018
In all honesty, the kind of talent that the Light Blues have getting past FC Ufa should not be a major concern for Gerrard meaning that Coulibaly will not be missed during this particular encounter.
But what will be a major cause of concern for the manager is Lassana Coulibaly’s participation in the Old Firm Derby.
According to reports, Lassana Coulibaly’s injury is quite serious and the midfielder will not be able to recover before Sunday’s clash.
If this does hold true then the absence of the summer signing will be a huge blow for the Light Blues given that Coulibaly has become a mainstay in midfield since moving to Ibrox from France.
