Derek McInnes on Rangers injuries: 'We are playing with fire with the numbers we have'

Derek McInnes says Rangers are “playing with fire” with squad numbers after a spate of injuries.

The Light Blues lost striker Youssef Chermiti during a defeat to Hibs at the weekend, and the forward is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The Portuguese attacker is due to see a specialist in London, with a potential surgery next week.

Rangers suffered a fresh injury setback in defence with Tuur Rommens facing at least four weeks out with a groin strain following a scan.

Ben Godfrey, who joined on a season-long loan from Atalanta in June, is also on the sidelines.

McInnes said the club are targeting defensive recruits and wingers, but that no deals have been finalised as of yet.

Rangers face the task of overturning a first-leg 2-1 defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox tomorrow to progress in Europa League qualifying.

McInnes said: “Defensively, we’re very short on numbers. We don’t have a left-footed defender in the building. We’re keen to get that resolved as quickly as possible.

“With the numbers we’ve got, we are playing with fire. The good thing is we’ve got the ability to react to it positively, and hopefully we can do that swiftly.

“We all know what we need, but acting very swiftly would help matters.”