Derek McInnes provides latest update from Ibrox
Derek McInnes revealed that his Rangers squad has been hit by a bug ahead of Saturday's match against St Johnstone with an unnamed "key player" affected.
McInnes admitted that preparations for the Premiership encounter at Ibrox against one of his former clubs have been affected by a number of players being struck down by illness during the week.
"There's a bit of a bug going about," the Rangers boss said. "There's been half a dozen players or so. Even last night I got a call from the doctor about a key player as well. So we're trying to minimise that. And work towards just tactically being the best as we can, coming into the game on Saturday and bringing a good performance."
Asked if he would be forced into major changes, the Rangers boss added: "No, I'm hoping not. Probably, I think, maybe only one, maybe two lads I've been starting regularly who are affected. But certainly the one last night wasn't what I was wanting. But he's seeing the doctor again today. And hopefully he's better again tomorrow."
Rangers are looking to bounce back to winning ways after being held to a 2-2 draw by Dundee at Dens Park last weekend - a result which saw them four points behind Celtic at the top of the Premiership.
The two sides met again in a bounce match at Auchenhowie on Tuesday in a game which Dundee won 2-1.
"Unfortunately for us, Tuur Rommens, who the game was for, amongst others, was one of the ones that had the bug," McInnes added. "And we never managed to get him on the pitch, although he's trained since then, yesterday and today."
It was an opportunity missed for Rangers left-back Rommens, who has not played any minutes since suffering a groin strain in August, but other fringe players were given a chance to stake a claim in the midweek friendly.
"I think every now and then to have these sort of games is important because we've got three games this week," McInnes added. "Likelihood is the team will change in that period. We've obviously got a home game at St Johnstone. We go to Tyncastle. We've got a semi-final [against Aberdeden]. It could be extra time. So I think it's important for me that I don't just throw people in who have not had 11 v 11 game time. They could be a bit undercooked. You try and give them every chance.
"And these games can sometimes be... You get a lot from them. The younger lads can mix with the senior players and play, but I didn't particularly enjoy this one, to be honest. Sometimes you get more positive from it than others. But I think it is important for players who have been on the outside, looking in and not getting enough game time. When the team's been on a winning run, it's difficult to make too many changes. It's important that they get some 11 v 11 competitive. Although it's a friendly, it's not against each other. It's actually a proper game."