Ibrox View: Clement handed boost as Rangers man set for faster than expected injury return

The international break couldn’t have come at a much worse time for Philippe Clement, Rangers or the Gers’ supporters.

There is an overriding sense of frustration around Ibrox after the opening month or so of the season, which has only been further amplified by the Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic on Sunday (1 September).

The defeat at Parkhead has left the Light Blues five points adrift of Glasgow rivals in the title race, with several pundits and supporters already ruling them out of the battle for first place.

Just to add to Clement’s problems, the Belgian has been handed several new injury issues to deal with ahead of the return to action which will have massively impacted his plans in the coming weeks.

Reports suggest that Danilo will be sidelined once again after the Brazilian underwent another operation on his knee having only managed to make one competitive start this season [Stevie Clifford, 5 September].

On top of that, it has been suggested that Rangers may well have to live without Rabbi Matondo for up to three months after the Welsh international hobbled off of the field during the Old Firm defeat to the Hoops [Football Scotland, 5 September].

How long will Rabbi Matondo be out injured after what happened in Rangers loss v Celtic?

Clement may have been handed a slightly unexpected boost, however, after a new update emerged around the Welshman’s condition.

According to Rangers Review journalist Chris Jack (5 September), Matonodo faces between six and eight weeks on the sidelines, shaving a month off of the time originally reported.

While that extra few weeks may not make a whole lot of difference to the Gers in the immediate future, Clement will be eager to get Matondo back out on the grass as soon as possible.

The Belgian doesn’t have loads of attacking options at his disposal currently after several players departed Ibrox in the final days of the transfer window, so he cannot afford to see players ruled out for extended periods.

Of course, in an ideal world, Matondo would be fit and ready to go straight away after the international break.

Unfortunately, that isn’t the case but losing the winger for eight weeks rather than 12 is a welcome boost in what has been an otherwise break few days on the blue half of Glasgow.

In other Rangers news, Graeme Souness and Simon Jordan have clashed over Jack Butland after the Old Firm defeat to Celtic

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