Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam fears Nathan Patterson has missed out on a "career changing" moment after the injury blow to James Tavernier.
Right-back Patterson has been removed from the squad and is now self-isolating after Covid rule breaches.
The 19-year-old, who penned a new five-year-deal earlier in the season, faces an uncertain future at Ibrox and an SFA investigation.
The starlet had been an understudy to Tavernier so far this season, and with the skipper facing a spell on the sidelines after a knock against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League, Adam believes it's a wasted chance for Patterson.
Adam told the PLZ Football Show that the breach of guidelines has cost the defender a chance to break into Steven Gerrard's first-team plans long-term.
The Dundee star said: “This could be a career changing moment for the young lad, but instead he is sat in his house isolating for the next 10 days, two weeks just thinking.
"The manager has probably not spoken to him since it’s happened. He will be thinking about what he is going into with the manager in two weeks.
"A lot of thoughts will be going through his mind then the captain gets injured and it’s your chance. Like I said, it could have been career changing, but one silly mistake and it’s cost him."
Adam also has concerns that skipper Tavernier may not return before the end of the current Premiership campaign.
He added: “It’s going to be a huge blow for Rangers.
"They are fortunate they are in a good position in the league, they have one foot in the last 16 of the Europa League, but I think this could be a long-term one.”
