Rangers face an anxious wait to discover if Joe Aribo, Calvin Bassey and Leon Balogun will be available to face Celtic after Nigeria axed Gernot Rohr .
Ibrox chiefs have requested the Nigerian Football Federation delay the arrival of the key men for the upcoming African Cup of Nations until after the January 2 showdown at Parkhead.
Previously Rohr had been open to the idea that a delay could be arranged for the trio as the squad come together before the first game on January 9.
He said last month: "We need a good preparation, we need the players at least ten days before, but like you know in the UK, they play.
"Somebody called me from Glasgow already. They have the derby Celtic v Rangers on the second day of January and asked if we can let the players play.
"We have a lot of problems to prepare the team, but I think we will have most of our players at least ten days before and should be okay."
However, after Nigeria pulled the plug on their longest-standing manager Rohr the trio are now in limbo.
It could leave Giovanni van Bronckhorst short on centre-back options for the showdown, and without standout performer Aribo on derby day.
Augustine Eguavoen has been handed the job as as their new caretaker boss.
He will be assisted by former Everton stopper Joseph Yobo, while Nigerian legends Jay-Jay Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu have been drafted in as advisors.
The General Secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi, said: “The relationship between the Nigeria Football Federation and Mr Rohr has come to an end. We thank him for his services to the Super Eagles and Nigeria."
