Rangers have suffered an injury blow as it emerged Nikola Katic is out for the rest of the season.
The Croat picked up a knee injury in pre-season training and was tipped by his agent to return in early 2021.
But the nature of the anterior cruciate ligament injury means that recovery can take anything between seven and 12 months and now the defender will miss out on the entirety of what looks to be a title winning campaign.
The 24-year-old has made 59 appearances for the Ibrox club, scoring six goals and being tipped as a star for the future with a series of solid perfromances.
But boss Steven Gerrard admitted there are "no guarantees" over when the player will be back fit for a return.
He said "The Katic situation is something we’re going to have to assess and analyse moving forward. He’s not going to be available this season which will mean he’s missed a year’s football so that one could be one where we’ll have to take our time in terms of getting up to full speed.
"I’m in regular contact with Niko but there’s no guarantees Niko is going to be available. It’s an injury where you have to take your time and really allow the injury to tell you when it’s ready rather than push for a certain date.
"There’s no guarantees on Niko right now and come the summer time."
In better news for the club, midfielder Scott Arfield is on track to return in time for the Europa League clash with Antwerp.
Gerrard said: " Scott Arfield is due to start coming back into the group at the end of the week and really pleased it has gone to plan, the medical team have done a great job and he should hopefully be available for the European games."
