Covid test twice a week for all Rangers players
RANGERS players will undergo Covid-19 testing twice a week as they return for pre-season training.
The Ibrox squad will report to Auchenhowie in small groups over the next 48 hours for the first time since lockdown three months ago. Head of performance
Jordan Milsom, Steven Gerrard’s leading fitness coach, has declared himself happy with the stats provided by the players via apps and online analysis in recent weeks.
Gerrard will get his first look this morning when James Tavernier and Co return in small groups, with their arrival and assessment planned over the next two days.
It’s understood players will undergo a string of medical checks every day, including temperature monitoring, with coronavirus testing twice a week ahead of the new season start on August 1.
But Rangers, like all Premiership clubs, are facing a challenge in terms of arranging closed-door friendlies, especially with the Scottish Championship not scheduled to restart until October 17.
Leading English clubs are also still engaged in their own domestic programmes, which could hamper the chances of arranging games to help players reach match fitness before the big kick-off.
Rangers are monitoring the travel situation and could yet decide to fly out for a pre-season training camp but it will depend on the lifting of government restrictions in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Light Blues are refusing to be drawn at this stage on Neil Lennon’s claims that the first Old Firm game of the season, scheduled for Parkhead, should be delayed to allow the fans to attend.
They have declined to comment with the fixture list still to be released and the full extent of a closed doors schedule of matches yet to be decided.
Lennon said: “Should the first Old Firm game be pushed back?
“I think that’s what everyone would want.
“Everyone associated with the game would want it and so would the clubs. I’m sure the TV companies would want it as well.”