Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst encouraged by prospect of January return for Connor Goldson

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst says he has received encouraging news about Connor Goldson’s injury and hopes to have the defender back by January.

Goldson was injured during Rangers 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League just over a week ago. Van Bronckhorst had initially said he had no definite timescale on the players return, only that the thigh injury was serious enough to rule the player out for months.

The Ibrox boss now has more clarity on Goldson’s condition and with the league shutting down next month for the duration of Qatar 2022, the experienced centre-back will not miss too much of Rangers’ campaign.

“It was a little more positive than we thought,” Van Bronckhorst said.

“The World Cup is a five week break when we don’t have any games so he and the other injured players will benefit in their recoveries.

“So hopefully we will have Connor back at that time.”

The other long-term injuries in the squad are Ryan Jack, Filip Helander and John Souttar, while Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence are also in recovery.

Glen Kamara has missed recent games but Van Bronckhorst said that while the Finland international won’t be available to take on Livingston on Saturday, he may return against Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“Glen had a problem with his ankle so he has not been in the squad for 10 days,” the manager said.

“He went to London this week and is now back available to train so hopefully we will have him back for the game against Napoli.

John Lundstram has had scans on an ankle problem but there is no significant damage and the midfielder has been given the all-clear to continue playing.