Lack of new Rangers players involved vs Brugge explained

Russell Martin has explained why there is a lack of new signings involved in Rangers’ first pre-season match today.

Rangers host Club Brugge at Ibrox this afternoon in Martin’s first game in the dugout. 

Max Aarons is the only new face in the starting line-up, with Emmanuel Fernandez on the bench, having joined from Peterborough this week. 

Lyall Cameron, Joe Rothwell and Thelo Aasgaard are all glaring omissions from the matchday squad, though, but Martin has revealed why they’ve not been included. 

“Lyall has a little bit of an injury,” the 39-year-old explained. “He’s only had one session, and it was a big session.

“He’s been with the physios working very hard, so he’s chomping at the bit. 

“He’ll be with us at St George’s and will hopefully play in the next one, but it was a little bit early for him.

“Joe Rothwell had seven or eight weeks off. So, for him to come back in, having had a massive week of training, which they all have, John Souttar as well, so he’ll be back next week and involved in the game. 

“To put them in today would’ve just been too much of a risk. 

“It’s the same with Thelo. He’s had two days of doing medicals and doing media stuff with you guys, and hasn’t really trained. It would’ve been a risk that we don’t need to take right now. 

“But he’s in a good place. He’ll train all week with us, get used to us and be involved in the next game all being well.”