RANGERS APPEAL SFA BANS FOR COVID FIVE

RANGERS have appealed the six-game SFA bans handed down to five Ibrox players accused of breaching Covid regulations. A hearing this week punished Nathan Patterson, Bongani Zungu, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear with immediate four-match bans, plus a further two games suspended pending any further infringements. The five were charged under SFA rules 24 and 77 after police broke up a house party in Glasgow in February. Rangers took their own internal disciplinary action against the players before manager Steven Gerrard handed them a chance to make up for their errors. Their SFA bans were due to begin with tomorrow’s Scottish Cup third-round tie against Cove Rangers but the Ibrox club clearly feel they have grounds to reduce the sanctions. No date has been set for the appeal hearing but the SFA confirmed on their website

that Rangers had contested the original hearing outcome. In November, Ibrox pair Jordan Jones and George Edmundson were given seven-game bans for flouting Covid rules. Both went on loan during the January transfer window. Meanwhile, Ryan Jack has visited specialists in London in an attempt to get to the root of his ongoing calf injury. The Rangers midfielder withdrew from the recent Scotland squad after suffering a recurrence of the problem that has kept him out since February. Jack is a key man for club and country but there is no immediate timescale for his return. He has missed 24 games for Gerrard’s side this season, having also suffered a knee injury last November. Assistant boss Gary McAllister confirmed the club are awaiting feedback on the 29-year-old’s trip south. ‘We are waiting for the results coming back from London on that visit,’ said McAllister. ‘It is just further investigations to try to get to the bottom of Ryan’s problem.’ McAllister reported that captain James Tavernier is stepping up his recovery from a knee injury sustained against Royal Antwerp in February. ‘He is back (training) on the grass and that was nice to see yesterday. He is out there on his own with the physios and he is getting closer.’ McAllister paid tribute to Allan McGregor after the 39-year-old goalkeeper signed a 12-month contract extension this week. ‘It’s a no-brainer and he thoroughly deserves it,’ said McAllister. ‘The way he comes in here every day, his preparation for games is stunning.’ Gerrard has been clear about the Scottish Cup being the priority for the league champions in the remainder of the season. ‘We can’t sit back and relax,’ said McAllister. ‘We want to finish the season well and with style.’