---
title: "Rangers: These fans think that unavailability of key players has had an effect on recent results"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/rangers-these-fans-think-that-unavailability-of-key-players-has-had-an-effect-on-recent-results/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2020-02-04T17:50:26Z"
modified: "2020-02-04T17:50:26Z"
---

# Rangers: These fans think that unavailability of key players has had an effect on recent results

**Plenty of Rangers fans have been reacting to a tweet from [@adamski152](https://twitter.com/adamski152/status/1224238455821144066), who [frequently contributes online content about the club](https://twitter.com/adamski152), in which he suggested that Steven Gerrard’s side has been affected by the recent absences of some key players.**

https://twitter.com/adamski152/status/1224238455821144066

The [podcast contributor](https://twitter.com/adamski152) expressed his belief that their fortunes will improve once some injured players regain full fitness, with the ‘Gers winning just [one of their last three league games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/glasgow-rangers/spielplandatum/verein/124) to fall [seven points off the pace](https://www.skysports.com/scottish-premier-table) in the Premiership title race.

Gerrard’s squad has been hampered by injuries of late, with James Tavernier ([12 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rangers-fc/leistungsdaten/verein/124/reldata/%262019/plus/1) this season) sidelined recently after undergoing surgery on an appendix problem ([Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/james-tavernier-provides-rangers-injury-21346639)), Jermain Defoe ([17 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rangers-fc/leistungsdaten/verein/124/reldata/%262019/plus/1)) potentially out for four weeks with a calf injury ([Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jermain-defoe-injury-latest-rangers-21390273)) and Ryan Jack also missing recent games due to a calf problem ([Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ryan-jack-suffers-rangers-injury-21375701)). Rangers also had to cope without [top scorer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rangers-fc/leistungsdaten/verein/124/reldata/%262019/plus/1) Alfredo Morelos for their first three games in January as he was serving a suspension for his red card at Celtic just after Christmas (as per [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/5116919/rangers-news-alfredo-morelos-ban-suspension-celtic/)).

After reading the views expressed by [@adamski152](https://twitter.com/adamski152/status/1224238455821144066), these ‘Gers fans on Twitter agreed that the unavailability of [several first team regulars](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/rangers-fc/leistungsdaten/verein/124/reldata/%262019/plus/1) has been a factor in some poor results of late:

> Absolutely. Tav is often the one who ups the pace, he has been a massive loss to us. Nobody can question him being first name on the team sheet and our leader on the park.
>
> — NM (@neilmcaulay) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/neilmcaulay/status/1224265624639221760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Agree, some other first team players need a rocket too but we clearly miss our big players. The system didn’t work for 5 months to fail all of a sudden. Tav is a ridiculous miss, both in terms of driving the team on and contribution with assists
>
> — John (@JohnMcIntosh19) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/JohnMcIntosh19/status/1224239665714208770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> 5 out of our 7 poor results this season have been without a fit Ryan Jack. Tav, morelos, barisic and Davis have also missed games we ended up dropping pnts in. We are too over reliant on our better players.
>
> — Kamaradona (@FredMorelos1) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/FredMorelos1/status/1224328280641343488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Completely agree. The issue we have had is key players being injured/suspended and one or two others dropping their level. It’s not the system that’s to blame.
>
> — DB (@DBazB) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/DBazB/status/1224253837923491842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I’d agree that the failings in the Hearts and Aberdeen game were different. I think people have underestimated how big a loss Morelos, Tavernier and Jack at the same time has effected us. Any team losing arguably their three best players would struggle in games
>
> — Duncan Wright (@CycleBookFooty) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/CycleBookFooty/status/1224317958060695552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> We have lost jack when davis and kamara have lost form and missed tav more than anyone amd not having morelos for 3 games as well didnt help, so aye i agree with you
>
> — Fraser Simpson (@FraserSinpson) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/FraserSinpson/status/1224456805310484480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I think your right, it shows we have a really strong first team when everyone is fit,couple of injuries or suspensions like now really weaken us, next season we need to strengthen our squad
>
> — BroomloanRear55 (@BRear55) [February 3, 2020](https://twitter.com/BRear55/status/1224240560665440256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Rangers fans, do you think that the unavailability of players like Tavernier and Morelos has been a factor in the team’s recent downturn or is that an overly simplistic explanation? Comment below with your views!***