If Rangers are to eat into Celtic's commanding advantage after the break, one thing is for sure; they're going to need some better luck on the injury front.
Under-fire Gio van Bronckhorst hasn't had his troubles to seek in recent weeks, so much so that Record Sport understands the board see it as an extenuating circumstance for their poor recent form. A win over Hearts has cooled the crisis somewhat and if the boardroom patience continues over the World Cup break, Van Bronckhorst will be delighted to use it as a chance to bring some of his crocked stars back into the fold.
The likes of Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Kemar Roofe could all be back in time to face Hibs on December 15 with a friendly with Leverkusen on 10 December set to give fans a clear idea of who will be available - and who might have to wait into the new year for a return to action.
Here is everything Record Sport knows about the current injury situation - and then the absentees are expected back.
Connor Goldson
The injury that has hit Rangers harder than perhaps any other, initial fears that Goldson would be out long-term after going off against Liverpool have been allayed somewhat. Their league form has tailed off in the five games he's been missing but speaking after that 7-1 hammering at Ibrox, Van Bronckhorst revealed he expects him back after the World Cup.
“It was a little more positive than we thought. The World Cup is five weeks (break) and we don’t have any games so he and the other players will benefit in their recoveries. Hopefully we will have Connor back at that time.”
Filip Helander
Yet to kick a ball this season after picking up a foot issue against St Mirren before the split, Helander has had a hellish couple of seasons with injury and Rangers fans will be keen to see his long-awaited return sooner rather than later. He certainly won't be back in time to face St Mirren this weekend but could return to fitness at some stage during the World Cup break.
A return against Leverkusen in that friendly is possible however a first competitive start may be further down the line considering how long he has been on the sidelines for.
John Souttar
Souttar was tipped as a key part of a central defensive shakeup in the summer, arriving alongside Ben Davies to replace Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun. But while Davies has recovered from his early injury problems to find some rhythm, Souttar hasn't been seen since limping off against Livingston on the opening day of the season.
He's another Van Bronckhorst has been reluctant to put a firm timeline on, only saying he expects him back after the break. Whether he'll be in a condition to start against Hibs in five weeks' time remains to be seen but he should be back in some capacity before the new year, barring any fresh setbacks.
Ridvan Yilmaz
The prognosis on new left-back Yilmaz from Van Bronckhorst didn't sound too great at all. After picking up a hamstring injury in late October, the Dutchman seemed to hint it might be some time after the international break before he's seen again.
He said before their defeat to St Johnstone: "Yilmaz will not be ready. He will be out for several weeks. He has a hamstring injury. It will definitely be after the World Cup. I don’t know how long exactly but he will not be involved in the remaining games until the break."
Ryan Jack
While Van Bronckhorst has been quiet on key midfielder Jack, absent since early October, Scotland boss Steve Clarke named him in his squad to face Turkey and even revealed that he could be fit to face St Mirren this weekend.
Clarke said after revealing his squad: " We have consistent dialogue with Rangers and his injury has improved.
"I like Ryan as a player. He probably won't play against Hearts (on Wednesday), but he could be back at the weekend."
Ianis Hagi
Rangers knew it would be a while before they saw Hagi again after they underwent knee surgery in January, but we're now at the point where he could be back any time now. Speaking back in October, he said he's on track for a return within the 9-12 month timeline that was laid out to him - but given how long he's been out, he's targeting Romania's Euro qualifiers in March to be back at full throttle.
He told Romanian outlet Gazeta Sporturilor: "I'm fine, I've seen a lot of talk in these almost nine months. Many gave their opinion where it was not known. My injury was very clear from the first episode of the documentary I posted. It is an injury with a recovery period of nine to 12 months. There was no problem coming back earlier. There was a lot of talk, but there was no point. I'm fine, it's not been nine months since the operation. I'm on the right track.
"It's a long-term operation, there are also moments when you stagnate, it's part of the recovery. You have to accept it. It's more of a mental injury than a physical one, but I'm very good mentally, happy. I feel strong. It won't be long before I recover.
"Everything is fine, stop listening left and right. I want to be in good shape at the start of the preliminaries for my country, that's the goal I've set for myself, I'm clear that's what I'm thinking about. Also to get back to the club team, play and do as well as I can. It's a group from which we want and must qualify. It remains to prove on the field."
Kemar Roofe
"Kemar Roofe" and "injury" seem to go hand in hand in the headlines these days. The Jamaica forward is rarely far from the Ibrox treatment room and just as his most recent comeback was gearing up, he was hit with a fresh setback expected to keep him out of training for "a couple of weeks" ahead of their home game against Liverpool.
That was 12 days ago so a return against St Mirren might just come too soon. But he'd be expected to be right back in amongst it when the season resumes in December.
Fashion Sakala
Zambia forward Sakala missed the win over Hearts on Wednesday night but it's not expected to keep him out beyond the World Cup - with Van Bronckhorst labelling it a "minor" issue.
He said ahead of the clash with Robbie Neilson's team: “Fashion had a scan yesterday (Monday). He has a minor muscle injury and he will be out for a week which will rule him out for the last 2 games, but he will be back after World Cup for sure.”
READ NEXT
