Blow for Rangers as Kemar Roofe suffers knee injury ahead of RB Leipzig tie

Rangers have been dealt a blow at a crucial point in their season with news that Kemar Roofe has suffered a knee injury that will see him miss three games including crucial European and Premiership matches.

Roofe has been back in the starting line-up in recent weeks after injury ruled Alfredo Morelos out for the remainder of the season.

The forward scored a hat-trick against St Mirren earlier this month and netted the extra-time winner against Braga that put Rangers in the Europa League semi-finals.

Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that Roofe has now suffered a knee injury that will see him miss at least two league matches and the first leg of the European tie against RB Leipzig in Germany.

The forward will miss Saturday’s Premiership match against Motherwell but will also be ruled out of the top of the table clash with Celtic on May 1. He is expected to be back for the second leg against Leipzig four days later.

Aaron Ramsey is also out for the same duration with the injury he suffered against Celtic last weekend.

“Aaron had to come off with a hamstring problem, we have assessed him this week and hopefully we will have him back around the Leipzig home game,” he said.

“We also had a problem with Kemar Roofe after the game. The next day he felt his knee.

“For him it is the same, he will be out for some weeks and hopefully also back for me to pick around the Leipzig home game.”

Fashion Sakala looks to be in position to replace Roofe, with Cedric Itten also an option but short on game time.

“Of course with Morelos already out and Kemar out for a couple of weeks, we have less options up front,” Van Bronckhorst said. “But as always we have to go on and make sure we embrace the challenge.

“The atmosphere in the group is good and we just have to make sure we pick the best team for every game.

“We are very positive, although we have some injuries added to their list. All the players who are available are capable and know the task ahead of us.

“(Sakala) has played well in that position in the last couple of games. We have limited options up front but eventually other players have to stand up and are given more time to play.

“That is why you have a big squad, for moments like this.”