Injury Concerns Mount for Rangers at Training Ground Before Must-Win Queen’s Park Tie
Rangers are facing a mounting injury crisis at their Auchenhowie training centre as they prepare for a high-stakes Scottish Cup fifth-round clash against Queen’s Park at Ibrox on Sunday, February 8, 2026 (kick-off 2:00 PM UK time). Manager Danny Rohl will be without several key players, adding pressure to what is already a must-win fixture to avoid repeating last season’s humiliating exit to the same opponents.
The Gers’ injury list remains a significant concern heading into the tie. Confirmed absentees include midfielder Connor Barron, defender Derek Cornelius (sidelined with a muscle injury since late November 2025 and not expected back until mid-April 2026), and young talent Bailey Rice, who continues to recover from ongoing issues. These three are definitively ruled out, forcing Rohl to reshuffle his squad. Additional doubts surround players like Emmanuel Fernandez and possibly others who missed recent matches, such as the midweek win over Kilmarnock, though Dujon Sterling is expected to return after being rested.
Rangers’ preparations at Auchenhowie have been hampered by these setbacks, with the club dealing with a persistent wave of absences that have tested squad depth throughout the campaign. Despite the challenges, Rohl is contemplating up to three changes to the starting lineup, potentially handing starts to goalkeeper Liam Kelly, defender Max Aarons, and attacking midfielder Nedim Bajrami as part of a rotation strategy to manage fatigue and freshen up the team. The German manager has emphasized the need for focus and professionalism, particularly given the psychological weight of last year’s defeat.
This tie carries extra significance due to the ghosts of 2025. Queen’s Park, then managed differently, stunned Rangers with a 1-0 victory at Ibrox in the same round, courtesy of a 69th-minute goal from Sebastian Drozd (now a key threat with four league goals this season) and a dramatic late penalty save by goalkeeper Callum Ferrie from James Tavernier’s spot-kick. That result, amid Rangers’ dominance (28 shots faced), contributed to major upheaval at the club, including the departure of the previous manager. Queen’s Park earned their rematch controversially after Stranraer were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player in the fourth round, handing the Championship side (currently bottom of their division) this lucrative Ibrox trip.
Under new boss Sean Crighton, Queen’s Park arrive with no reported injury concerns and will fancy their chances of another upset. The Spiders have shown resilience in recent outings, including a 2-1 win over Arbroath at the end of January, and Drozd remains a focal point in attack. Crighton’s side knows an underdog tag often brings freedom, with pundits noting that “everyone favours the underdog” in such scenarios—but they face a Rangers team three points off the Premiership summit and galvanized under Rohl.
Rangers, despite their injury woes, remain overwhelming favorites (odds around 1/33 for a home win), but the cup’s history of shocks looms large. A victory would secure progression toward Hampden and silverware in what has been a demanding season, while defeat would reignite scrutiny over squad management and depth. Rohl has called for his players to use the memory of last year’s pain as motivation, with several squad members from that fateful day still present.
As training continues at Auchenhowie, all eyes are on how Rangers navigate their absences. The match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports (coverage from 1:30 PM), with BBC Radio Scotland providing commentary. Fans at Ibrox will hope for a professional performance to banish any “deja vu” and keep the cup dream alive.
