Alex Rae fears the worst is still to come for Rangers' Covid 5.
The Ibrox club were forced into action earlier this week after a number of players were caught breaching Covid protocols at an illegal gathering.
Bongani Zungu, Calvin Bassey, Nathan Patterson, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear all now face a period of self-isolation.
Rae has lamented the fact Patterson, highly-rated at the club, would likely have been afforded a chance to step in for injured captain James Tavernier during Thursday's Europa League win over Royal Antwerp.
And the former Ibrox midfielder reckons it's only going to get worse for the quintet because, due to the isolation period, they won't yet have fronted up to boss Steven Gerrard face to face.
Rae told The Football Pass: "It was madness, whoever suggested the idea of let's go and party is beyond me.
"I understand they're young guys but under the confines of the athlete bubble, you just can't do it.
"You look at young Nathan Patterson, that would've been an ideal situation for him to go in and get an opportunity. They've got big high hopes for Patterson.
"Calvin Bassey, as well, at left-back. Those two guys are natural stand-ins for Tavernier and (Borna) Barisic and they're not going to get that opportunity now.
"I would imagine those guys would've been sitting there, self isolating, with a club punishment and they've still got to go and see the manager.
"I'm not sure they've seen Steven Gerrard face-to-face yet because of the Covid isolation protocols.
"So they're going to have to go into that situation as young guys. I'm not sure where they're going to be down the line, whether they'll get another opportunity or go out on-loan.
"But what an opportunity missed to be involved in that game. It was an opportunity to play at a level where you could've showcased your talent.
"Unfortunately they've passed up that opportunity and I don't think there's any winners in this situation.
"There's a lot of people paying a hefty price due to the restrictions and these guys are no exceptions."
