Rangers could have up to FIVE players back for Sunday’s Old Firm derby showdown at Ibrox.
The Light Blues were without six players due to Covid issues for their goalless draw against Alashkert in Armenia which secured their place in the Europa Leagu e group stage.
John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe were also serving UEFA bans while other players were unavailable through injury.
But Light Blues assistant boss Gary McAllister - standing in as boss with Steven Gerrard also self isolating - is expecting to have a number back for the visit of Celtic to Govan.
Speaking from Armenia after the stalemate against their 10-man opponents, McAllister said: “Everyone who travelled here tonight is available and by my counting we’ll be bolstered by another four or five.
“We’ve got players dealing with Covid issues, players suspended and some who have been carrying niggling injuries so we’ll be well bolstered by the weekend.”
And McAllister is relishing the first derby showdown of the season and insist their preparation will be spot on as they spend a second night in Western Asia before completing the return journey of their 5000-mile round trip.
Ibrox Stadium will be filled with home fans and McAllister said: “We will get the recovery right for everyone and then what a game - 50,000 fans at our ground against one of your biggest rivals.
“These are the games you want to play in. Now we’ve jumped into the Europa League group stage, these games have a similar feel to them.
“They are big games for big players and they need big moments during those games so everyone is looking forward to it.
“We tried not to distract the players by looking ahead to the weekend but now we can start focusing on that.
“Our preparation we’ve decided to stay over. The players are recovering and will get back to the hotel and get liquids back into them as soon as and we don’t have to rush to the airport.
“We can control the food and what the players are eating and get a decent sleep. They’ll do a little recovery. We felt that was the best way to navigate through the weekend.”
Rangers have had a sluggish start to the season which saw them exit the Champions League qualifiers against Malmo.
And they weren’t at their best in Armenia with Alfredo Morelos guilty of missing a hat-trick of decent chances.
But after reaching the group stage of UEFA’s second tier competition for the fourth year on the spin, McAllister was delighted to get the job done without major injury concerns.
Debut keeper Robby McCrorie was kicked in the head which saw Alashkert reduced to 10 men in the first half.
The Gers No. 2 said: “To do this four years on the bounce, we’re delighted. It’s great for the players.
“It would have been better if it was the Champions League but it’s brilliant for the players and the nights at Ibrox are special.
“We created the best chances I felt. Alfredo had two where you’d normally see him hit the net and Joe Aribo hit the woodwork a couple of times.
“You want to keep a clean sheet, get through the tie and play well. We ticked two of the three boxes.
“We can play better but giving the things around he game we’re in the draw and that’s the main thing.
“There was a bit of concern over Scott Arfield at half time where he got a smack on the toe. But everyone is fine, Robby is fine.
“The fact is we came here to do a job, wanted to get through the tie and we’re in the draw for the group stage.
“We weren’t at our best but we’ve kept a clean sheet bearing in mind loads of issues surrounding the squad.
“We came together and we’re through - that’s what we wanted. Players are aware when they see some of their friends and staff not travelling, it’s got to have an effect.
“We didn't use it as an excuse. We looked each other in the eye and said we had a job to do. It wasn’t pretty but it was 34/35 degrees at kick off an only dropped to a cool 29 by the end so it was hot.
“We’ve got a lot of belief in Robby. When yo see him stripped in the goal he looks an impressive character and dealt with the ball at his feet very well.
“His deliveries up to the front men, trying to drop it into the striker’s was excellent. There was one awkward shot from distance that moved a bit and he handled that well so it was a really impressive debut.”
