Steven Gerrard has accepted his share of the blame for Fashion Sakala ’s groin injury.
The Zambian international missed Rangers 1-0 win over Alashkert in the Europa League play-off round first leg at Ibrox last night.
It’s not a serious injury, but Gerrard admitted that he and his coaching staff are partly responsible after introducing him to full Rangers training immediately after he completed an enforced period of isolation after arriving in Glasgow.
There were also updates on Ryan Jack’s condition and where Nnamdi Ofoborh is after a heart issue was detected during his decimal.
“Ryan Jack is progressing well and is getting closer, he is one we are really looking forward to having back,” said Gerrard. “He is a standard setter, someone who we’ve missed, certainly this season.
“Nnamdi is going for further tests next week so we are hoping for good news. But he’s been around the group, he’s settled and he just need to try and get him back in a safe way and be patient with him as well.
“Sakala’s got a bit of a niggle in his groin. I think he’s paying for myself and the staff pushing him a little bit too quickly. He didn’t get a full pre-season and we’ve put him in a little bit too quick, taking him out of the hotel and putting him straight into full training, part of that little niggle is on me as well.
“That’s a frustrating one, but what we don’t want to do is put him in while it;s niggling away and make it worse. Hopefully he won’t be too far away. “
New signing Juninho Bacuna was introduced to the Ibrox crowd last night after signing from Huddersfield Town.
The Dutch-born Curacao international joins on permanent deral and will be assessed today before a decision on when he might make his Premiership debut will be taken.
“Bacuna is a really big talent, he hasn't played a lot of football recently so we need to be patient,” Gerrard cautioned.
“I'm really looking forward to seeing him play,an attacking midfielder with a great range of passing, if we can give him the tools to evolve he should be a great addition.
“He will be in for tests today to see where he is at, he is a player the fans will be really excited to watch in action as an attacking midfielder.”
