Injured Blues will be given every chance

STEVEN GERRARD will give his walking wounded every chance to prove their fitness for the crunch Old Firm clash with Celtic.

The Rangers boss has not had his injury troubles to seek in recent weeks as a number of players have been forced into the treatment room.

Borna Barisic has already been ruled out of the Ibrox fixture, while Connor Goldson (below) should be fit after being forced off against Hibs on Wednesday.

But Rangers are still sweating on the availability of Gareth McAuley, Ryan Kent and Scott Arfield ahead of the second derby showdown of the season this afternoon.

Gerrard said: “I have already had a chat with the boys who are carrying knocks and niggles.

“I am going to give them right up until the last minute before making a decision.

“We have to do that with the size of the fixture and it being the last game before the break.

“There are two or three we are waiting on. McAuley, Kent and Arfield are still doubts but I will give them until the last minute.

“Conor Goldson should pull through, He will need help in terms of medicine and pain relief.

“But, it is a knock he can pull through with. He’s one I’m more confident with.

“I have to tip my hat to Conor and James [Tavernier] as they are the two who have gone to the well most and gone above and beyond for the badge and the club.

“But, at the same time they are the ones when I have spoken about giving them some oxygen they just look away.

“They are not interested in the conversation so that tells me they want to play.”