Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be 'desperate' for key Gers trio Alfredo Morelos, Fashion Sakala and Aaron Ramsey to be fully fit ahead of Sunday's Old Firm derby against arch-rivals Celtic, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.
The Glasgow giants are set to lock horns at Ibrox this weekend, with Celtic going into the encounter with a slender three-point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership standings.
What's the latest news involving Morelos, Sakala and Ramsey?
According to Sky Sports, Morelos remains a doubt to feature in the potentially season-defining clash with Celtic.
The report suggests the Rangers frontman is in a race against time to make a full recovery from the thigh injury he sustained while on international duty with Colombia.
Morelos' absence would come as a huge blow for Gers boss van Bronckhorst as the 25-year-old has racked up 113 goals for the club, with two of those coming in Old Firm derbies, and his threat in the final third would be missed.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Daily Mail - via Ibrox News - have revealed Sakala is self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Zambia.
But there could potentially be some positive news for Rangers as Ramsey was not selected for Wales' draw with Czech Republic as boss Rob Page wanted to allow the midfielder to return to Ibrox 'with full fitness' ahead of Sunday's derby.
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What has Pete O'Rourke said about the situation?
O'Rourke believes van Bronckhorst will be eager for Morelos, Sakala and Ramsey - who have made 267 Rangers appearances between them - to be available when they take on Celtic this weekend.
Van Bronckhorst was appointed as the Gers' boss last November and his first taste of the Old Firm derby in the dugout ended in a 3-0 defeat.
O'Rourke feels being able to call upon Morelos, Sakala and Ramsey could be pivotal as Rangers seek revenge following that heavy loss.
The journalist told GIVEMESPORT: "Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be desperate to have those three players fit and available for his squad because he wants to be going into the big game at full strength."
Who could profit if the trio fail to feature?
Should Morelos miss out, Kemar Roofe may be handed his first Scottish Premiership start since that 3-0 setback at the hands of Celtic.
Amad Diallo could also come into the starting line-up as a frontman or on the wing, potentially filling in for Sakala, which would allow him to make his seventh appearance since joining on loan from Manchester United in January.
Rangers have a host of central midfield options, so being without Ramsey would arguably come as less of a blow than Morelos and Sakala failing to feature.