Rangers injury boost ahead of Celtic clash as three developments reported and Youssef Chermiti hope

Souttar has not featured for Rangers since returning injured from Scotland duty last month with a muscle issue. He has missed the club’s past eight matches and while he is unlikely to return for Saturday’s Premiership match against Motherwell, he is in contention for the visit of St Mirren on December 30.

Rangers also have an Old Firm clash away at Celtic Park on January 3 and with another experienced centre-half in Derek Cornelius set to be sidelined until mid-February at the earliest due to injury, Souttar’s return would be timely.

Rangers head coach Danny Rohl is also without the services of Wolves loanee Nasser Djiga. The centre-half is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Burkina Faso and his return date is dependent on their progress in the competition.

Speaking on Souttar ahead of the home match against Motherwell, Rohl said: “John was good yesterday; he trained for the first time as part of the session. Let's see what it means today after tomorrow, but it's a huge step. I'm not sure if it's enough for the weekend, but if the games are coming now, it helps.”

Asked if the 29-year-old could be back for St Mirren, Rohl continued: “Could be, yeah. I think when you play every three days, then you have to see. But the big step was yesterday, to come back to a training session. He looks good, he looks fit, this is great.”

Antman and Bajrami updates - plus Rangers Chermiti hope

Rangers will still be without wide players Oliver Antman and Nedim Bajrami, as well as Cornelius. “All the other players, not really new information, Oli makes steps forward, Nedim's scan was positive, but it needs a couple of more days.”

Rohl also hopes that Youssef Chermiti’s late consolation in the 2-1 defeat by Hearts last weekend will boost the young Portuguese striker ahead of a taxing run of fixtures.

Chermiti’s goal return at Ibrox has been heavily scrutinised since he was bought for £8.5 million from Everton in the summer. The 21-year-old has only netted three goals on the back of an underwhelming two years on Merseyside when he netted just once in an EFL Trophy match.

“If you ask me, this goal hopefully helps him, helps us,” said Rohl. “This action, he showed that he has speed, he has the body, he has the finishing, what we want to see from a striker. For him, it's about consistently the performance.

“In my opinion, in the Hibs game, he put a lot of effort in, he ran for the team, and now his next step should be that he has a more dangerous situation where he scores. If he does this, then he can help us.”