Pundit devastated following Rangers hamstring tear.
Derek Ferguson says Zak Lovelace’s latest injury is a “real worry” for the Rangers because it could damage his playing. The pundit expressed his displeasure at learning of the youngster’s torn hamstring while playing for the B team, which could sideline him for another two months [Rangers Review, 9 March], having only recently returned from an extended lay-off following a previous injury sustained while playing for the first team against St Mirren on 7 October.
Ferguson is concerned that major hamstring concerns will have long-term consequences because pace is such an important part of how the 18-year-old plays. The blow comes amid considerable injury concerns throughout the Rangers squad, which manager Philippe Clement is expected to make a significant effort to improve. He exclusively told Ibrox News: “His style is dependent on pace, so if he’s picking up these hamstring injuries, it’s a big concern. Again, he is a terrific player, but it is all about fitness.
“I believe that is what the management will focus on the most. He’s actually been rather critical. “He gave an interview regarding the lads’ current situation and how there probably wasn’t enough solid work done in preseason to get the boys through the season.
“So I think that’s something that he’s going to rectify to make sure that’s not going to happen next season.”So for the boy Lovelace, I knew he’d been playing a couple games for the B squad and had returned to training, but when you receive that news, I detest it. “I hate when I see boys, talented boys, I’ve spoken about Ryan Jack and Kemar Roofe, and now the young boy Lovelace, talented boy, but again I hope he’s not going to be injury-prone, it’s a real shame.”
Former Millwall forward suffered back-to-back injury blows at Rangers. Roofe and Jack’s recurring setbacks are likely to lead to their departure from the club when their contracts expire this summer, and early indications are worrying for Lovelace’s Rangers career. He was in terrific form for the B squad last season and has already made four senior appearances, but his progress has been severely hampered this season due to his extended absence from action.
When first-team injury concerns have left Clement’s stats so low, it could have been a huge opportunity for the youth to obtain more playing time in the senior side, similar to Ross McCausland. But, with the likes of Kieran Dowell and Tom Lawrence both suffering from injury nightmares in their brief time at Ibrox, there is some bad fitness luck surrounding the club, and Lovelace’s struggle this season is a big part of it.
