WINDASS IN DERBY BAN FEAR
From Back Page fitness of full-backs Lee Wallace and Declan John but on-fire hitman Alfredo Morelos is expected to be in the clear for Celtic. Midfielder Windass was clocked on camera reacting to fans in the stands during the 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle last Friday night and the incident is expected to be picked up by compliance officer Tony McGlennan. Windass is in the frame to be offered a one-match ban – with a fast-track panel hearing penned in for Thursday should the Ibrox club reject the suspension. Morelos is likely to escape punishment, however, despite being spotted kicking out at Jags defender Jordan Turnbull in the stormy clash. The Colombian ace – who took his goal tally to eight goals in nine games for Gers – rattled the opener but got involved in a tangle in the second half as tempers flared. Referee Willie Collum waved away complaints at the time but Thistle’s Ryan Edwards is also set to land himself in the firing line of the compliance officer for his first-half horror tackle on Ryan Jack.
Rangers have a nervy wait for Windass but also face a looming left-back injury crisis as they shape up for one of the most crucial weeks of their season.
Skipper Wallace could miss tomorrow’s Betfred quarter-final against Partick Thistle and Saturday’s Old Firm crunch against Celtic.
Wallace limped off at Firhill on Friday night with a recurrence of the groin injury that forced him to undergo an op in the closing weeks of last season.
Now his replacement Declan John has revealed he’s also struggling after replacing Wallace 12 minutes into the game.
Both players are receiving extensive treatment as Pedro Caixinha bids to lead his side to Hampden for the first time as a boss, before turning his attentions to putting one over his arch rivals.
Cardiff loan signing John said: “I want to play as many minutes as I can. Of course I’m ready for the Old Firm, although I also have a bit of a niggle so we will just have to wait and see.
“I didn’t expect to get a call so early on against Thistle but then I saw Lee go down. I was really happy to get on and I thought I did quite well.”