Gutted Scott Arfield admits it's a blow to be without boss Steven Gerrard for Rangers ' crucial Europa League playoff.
Gerrard did not travel to Armenia for their crunch clash against Alashkert with Gary McAllister now taking the team.
Skipper James Tavernier, Calvin Bassey, Scott Wright and Ryan Kent were also absent along with first and second choice goalkeepers Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin after the club confirmed a Covid outbreak.
John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe are suspended, while Fashion Sakala is not in the club's European squad.
With the squad down to the bare bones and derby day against Celtic on the horizon, Arfield was confident the players could handle the crisis.
He stated that without Gerrard the pressure was on him and his teammates to secure a group stage spot.
The midfielder said at the pre-match press conference: "It isn't an ideal situation of course but every club has been impacted by this.
"We have a strong squad over here and some young boys are getting a great experience.
"The young players are the lucky ones that gain this experience of seeing the senior players perform and the build-up to this game.
"It won't be that much different, of course, we miss our leader on the side of the pitch but ultimately it is the players who have to go over the line and perform.
"We are always confident because of the dressing room we have, times like this show why we have such a large talented squad.
"We have a huge game tomorrow night, you can look at any negatives you want but if you look at the mentality and the players we have here we are capable of putting in a strong performance and getting a result."
