James Tavernier to miss Old Firm derby as Rangers captain ruled out for 'a few weeks'

James Tavernier has been ruled out of Thursday’s Old Firm derby with an injury that will keep him out of action for a few weeks.

The Rangers captain will miss the game against Celtic after scan results showed “clear damage”.

Philippe Clement revealed the news at his press conference on Tuesday.

The manager also said that Leon Balogun could return to the team for the game at Ibrox.

He said: “James (Tavernier) has picked up an injury, we took a scan and there is clear damage and he will be out for a few weeks.

“There is a small chance Leon Balogun can return, we will see after his individual work.

“It needs to be possible (for Leon) to play. You cannot play on one leg.

“We always take risks, and you have to do that in this business, but not crazy risks, that players can be out for months.

“So that will not be the case with Leon but we will see if he’s ready or not.

“It’s a blow (Tav) is out and every injury is a blow, and we have had a few blows in that way in the last weeks, the last months, first with Nana (Neraysho Kasanwirjo), then with John (Souttar), then with Leon Balogun, with Ridvan Yilmaz before in defence and with Tav now.

“But it’s about finding solutions and looking for solutions and go and work out of that.

“So that’s what the team has been doing all the time, and they did well, only the last two games we lost goals a little bit out of nothing, not with really clear mistakes or being out of structure, totally not.”

Rangers host their city rivals for the annual New Year fixture as they look to cut the gap at the top and prevent it from turning into a chasm.

Clement is looking for his first win against Celtic in what will be seventh attempt since taking over as Rangers manager in October 2023.

The most recent meeting between the pair ended in a 3-3 draw before Celtic won a penalty shootout in the League Cup final.