Wales boss Rob Page has suggested that Aaron Ramsey will be fully fit for Rangers ahead of their titanic clash with Old Firm rivals Celtic this weekend.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side host their most bitter of rivals at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon knowing that defeat will deal a catastrophic body-blow to their hopes of retaining their Scottish Premiership title. Celtic are currently three points clear at the top of the table after landing a heavy shot to their rivals' hopes last month, where they cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win at Celtic Park.
The outcome of Sunday's result could well have a huge impact on which side of Glasgow the trophy will be heading at the end of the season, and Welsh star Ramsey is likely to be one of several big players Rangers will look towards for inspiration. That comes despite Ramsey's stay in Glasgow being largely defined by fitness issues.
The sight of the midfielder suffering an apparent niggle towards the end of Wales's 2-1 win over Austria on Thursday night may well have sparked fresh concerns ahead of what is probably the biggest game in the Scottish calendar so far. The sight of him sitting out of the matchday squad altogether for Tuesday's friendly with the Czech Republic might well have sent those concerns into overdrive.
However, Page has played down any worries over Ramsey's fitness, and seemingly expects him to be fully fit for the this weekend's lunchtime clash. Asked on whether Ramsey was carrying an injury, Page said: "No injury. It's a no brainer for me. What we have to do is show respect for the clubs as well. We've got their players. Aaron's 30-plus-years-old now. Gareth's the same.
"Gareth wanted to be involved with Wayne [Hennessey] tonight. I'm not saying Aaron didn't. I made that decision not to have him and Joe Allen in the 23.
"It was a no-brainer really. The most important game was against Austria on Thursday. It's job done and we're in the final. This was a productive exercise to look at some of the younger players.
"We didn't need to risk Aaron. Let him go back to his club at full fitness and hopefully play a wonderful game in the derby on Sunday, knowing then then that there's less risk again then of him getting injured or picking something else up and protect him for June."
Rangers take on Celtic at 12pm on Sunday.
