Rangers Handed Second Injury Concern Following Lawrence Shankland Blow

Just when Rangers looked to settle into life under new manager Derek McInnes, injuries have already started to creep into the squad, mostly affecting their attacking lineup.

Last season's top scorer, Youssef Chermiti, has already been ruled out for the rest of the season after an unfortunate injury against Hibernian earlier this campaign.

Lawrence Shankland, one of the Gers' summer transfer window acquisitions, who has already racked up four goals for his new side, has also been ruled out for four months.

Now, on top of that, one of the Light Blues' latest summer signings, Daisuke Yokota, could also miss two of the Gers' most crucial fixtures early on in the season.

As confirmed by McInnes, the Japanese international will miss tomorrow's Scottish Premiership fixture against St Mirren due to a groin injury (h/t The Scottish Sun).

Yokota's chances of returning in time for the first Glasgow derby of the campaign look to be slim as we wait for the results of his medical examinations to come in.

Nonetheless, McInnes is expected to find a solution to the Gers' injury problems as fast as possible and prepare for the Scottish League Cup quarter-final clash against their crosstown rivals this Sunday.

And tomorrow's home game against the Saints could be the perfect opportunity for the new manager to put the Gers' latest attacking additions to the test.

McInnes might put both Ryan Naderi and Kevin Kelsy in his starting lineup tomorrow and hand Badredine Bouanani his first appearance for the Teddy Bears since his loan move from VfB Stuttgart on deadline day.

The winger also featured against the Celts in the Europa League knockout phase play-offs for his parent club last season.

McInnes will certainly find it hard to mould the Gers' new members into his newly welded system, which has brought the team success in its last three games.

However, the manager would be pleased to know that at least he has the required replacements at his helm to fill in for the regular starters whenever required.

All thanks to the Light Blues' decision to bring in an influx of new additions during the recently culminated summer transfer window.

The club management faced some heavy criticism for the side's failure to qualify for Europe this season in spite of a proactive transfer window.

But with the recent wave of injuries, especially with Yokota being a doubt for the Gers' League Cup encounter against Celtic, the high number of signings could feel justified if they can pull through this month's upcoming fixtures.