Danny Rohl kept his cards close to his chest but we can exclusively reveal it’s Dujon Sterling who has suffered a setback
17:37, 20 Feb 2026Updated 20:13, 20 Feb 2026
Livingston v Rangers – Scottish Premiership Preview
Dujon Sterling is a huge doubt for next month’s Old Firm double header after the luckless Rangers defender suffered yet another injury set-back.
Ibrox gaffer Danny Rohl revealed at his press conference this morning that he will be forced to make changes to his title chasing team for Sunday’s big Premiership clash at Livingston – but refused to name names while confessing one of his stars could be ruled out for up to three weeks.
But Record Sport can confirm that Sterling is the player now facing a race against time to make the derby showdown with Martin O’Neill’s Hoops at Ibrox on March 1 as well as the team’s Scottish Cup rematch one week later.
Dujon Sterling at Tynecastle(Image: SNS Group)
New frontman Ryan Naderi has a minor issue and wile also a doubt for this weekend’s trip along the M8 to take on Marvin Bartley’s struggling Lions outfit on the Almondvale astro, could still be available. Both players sat out training on Friday.
The fitness blows are the last thing Rohl needs as his side look to build on last week’s vital triumph over league leaders Hearts. But it’s also another deflating interruption for Sterling, who has made just 10 appearances since returning from an eight month Achilles tendon rupture.
Keeping his cards close to his chest, Rohl said: “We have to change some players. Well, I don’t want to, I have to. There’s small injuries, but I cannot go into too much detail today, but you will see, I think on Sunday.
“I think one player will be two or three weeks. And the other one is doubtful for Sunday, we have to make a decision. Let’s see, it could be two or three changes for the weekend.”
Rangers manager Danny Rohl(Image: PA)
There is better news on the fitness front, however, with Derek Cornelius and Connor Barron nearing returns. Rohl said: “Derek started yesterday with the first session of the team, not everything. I think that part of the session was a good step. I think in the next two weeks we’ll make a step forward.
“I think Connor could be next week that is part of the training session. Yeah, he looks good, he’s pushed and hopefully he puts everything in now and maybe in two weeks [he could be back] as well.”
Meanwhile, Rohl has warned his squad against falling into the same trap that has put Arsenal’s Premier League dreams in doubt down south.The German gaffer takes his team to Premiership basement boys Livingston on Sunday looking to keep pace with table-toppers Hearts. But the Ibrox manager is wary of repeating the costly mistake made by Mikael Arteta’s North London giants this week.
The Gunners misfired against relegation favourites Wolves on Wednesday after blowing a two-goal lead.
A win would have sent Arteta’s team seven points clear of closest rivals Manchester City but could now have their lead slashed back to just two if Pep Guardiola’s former champions can see off Newcastle on Saturday night.
Rohl – whose own side find themselves only two behind Derek McInnes’ high-flying Hearts after last Sunday’s thrilling 4-2 win over the Jambos – said: “I think the mindset with our players is completely there. When you beat Celtic away and you beat Hearts at home, this is not so bad.
“It’s now about these games where you think you have to win and to take the three points, this is crucial. If you want you can compare a similar situations like Arsenal against Wolverhampton. Some people thought that it was an easy win but even in these games the teams down there at the bottom, sometimes they have not so much to lose against the bigger teams.
“Against us, they try everything, so it’s very important that we go with a serious attitude. But I feel at the moment there’s no doubt about that. Even in the training session yesterday there was 100 percent focus on the next action, and it was good to see that.
“Nobody is being lazy, everyone wants to be part of the group, I think this is also good so we have the challenge in the starting XI, and the challenge to be in the squad. That is massive.”
The news of fresh injuries will worry the anxious Ibrox support. But Rohl is increasingly confident of his team’s title chances after seeing Gers twice come from behind to hammer Hearts.
He said: “The last couple of weeks have gone fantastic. It was a good statement at the weekend, I think also to come back after those two times, there’s small setbacks if you concede goals.
“The atmosphere was good straight after the game, the training was good, even the players that didn’t play are very motivated and hungry to train. Now we have to continue, we have to keep our intensity, I think this is crucial.
“But we know in these games from now on, you have to take a win because otherwise it makes no sense to win the game before.”