Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland has been ruled out of Thursday’s Old Firm derby against Celtic after being hospitalised with a serious internal bleed on New Year’s Eve.
The former England international was admitted to hospital on Tuesday evening with what has been described as a “significant” internal bleed.
The 31-year-old’s absence adds to a growing list of missing players for Rangers ahead of their crucial clash with Celtic at Ibrox.
Butland, who recently became a father again, is understood to be devastated about missing the fixture.
Jack Butland was rushed to hospital with a serious internal bleed
PA
The goalkeeper spent the night under medical supervision before being discharged on Wednesday morning.
The hospital stay comes just weeks after Butland welcomed his fourth child, having previously withdrawn from the Rangers squad before their match against Dundee on December 21 to be with his wife during labour.
Butland joined Rangers as a free agent following the expiry of his Crystal Palace contract.
His absence comes as Rangers face mounting defensive concerns, with captain James Tavernier, John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo all sidelined, while veteran Nigerian international Leon Belogun may be rushed back from injury.
Backup goalkeeper Liam Kelly will step in for only his second appearance since joining Rangers from Motherwell.
Kelly, who came through the Rangers youth system, previously kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory over Dundee when Butland withdrew due to his wife going into labour.
“It felt unbelievable. I’ve been at Rangers a long, long time,” Kelly said after his Dundee appearance.
“It was 20 years ago that I first walked through the gates of the training centre. So, that’s what I’ve waited for the majority of my life.”
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Jack Butland has only recently become a father
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“I’m over the moon, I got a clean sheet and a victory,” Kelly added about his debut Rangers appearance.
“That’s why I signed, in case I was ever called upon.”
Kelly’s journey back to Rangers has been a circuitous one, having taken a route via clubs including QPR and Motherwell before returning to his boyhood club.
His previous clean sheet against Dundee demonstrated his readiness to step up when needed, a quality that will be crucial for Thursday’s high-stakes Old Firm derby.
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