Rangers summer signing in major injury sweat as star forced off on debut against Dundee United
RANGERS boss Derek McInnes admits he’s sweating over the fitness of Ben Godfrey after the Englishman pulled up with an injury in their Premiership opener against Dundee United.
Godfrey, 28, partnered Emmanuel Fernandez at the heart of defence, with Dujon Sterling and Tuur Rommens on either side.
But the former Everton and Atalanta defender could not complete the 90 minutes at Tannadice, forced off in the 63rd minute to be replaced by Ross McCrorie.
Godfrey looked in visible discomfort and appeared to hold his hamstring as he limped off the pitch.
The defender has been plagued by injury issues throughout his career, making just 28 appearances over the past two seasons as he looks to kickstart his career in Scotland.
And he’s now facing a spell on the sidelines as he is assessed for the damage after a nightmare start to life at Rangers.
McInnes said afterwards: “He felt his hamstring so that would be an obvious concern for us as we aren’t overly blessed in that area.”
Derek McInnes is already short on defensive options, but the arrival of Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union this week should ease any immediate concerns.
Rangers snapped up the South African defender for £3million, and he was named on the bench at Tannadice.
The Light Blues failed to win their Premiership opener as Jim Goodwin‘s team held them to a 1-1 draw.
Rangers have not won a league opener since 2022, and while McInnes was desperate to end that hoodoo on Tayside, his side fell short after United broke the deadlock in the first half.
Summer signing Lachlan Rose put United ahead in the 38th minute, slotting home a tap-in to beat Gers keeper Ivor Pandur.
Rangers hit back in the second half through Thelo Aasgaard, who let the ball drop over his shoulder in the box before smashing it past United keeper Jack Walton in the 56th minute.
Both sides had chances to claim all three points late on, with the New Zealand ace Jesse Randall squandering a huge opportunity in the dying stages as the match ended in a stalemate.
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