STEVEN GERRARD is confident Rangers can deal with their latest Coronavirus blow after Filip Helander returned a positive test ahead of the Betfred Cup win over Falkirk.
The Swedish defender will now isolate and follow Government guidelines following the diagnosis that ruled him out of the 4-0 victory as Jermain Defoe, Calvin Bassey, Borna Barisic and James Tavernier netted to set up a meeting with St Mirren in the next round.
Helander is the first positive test to impact on the Ibrox squad but Gerrard was also without the services of right-back Nathan Patterson after he was caught up in the outbreak that saw a number of Scotland Under-21 players ruled out of action following the European Championship qualifier with Greece.
Ibrox duo George Edmundson and Jordan Jones are serving a suspension after breaching strict club and Government guidelines, while a member of the Academy squad is also self-isolating after returning a positive club test on Friday.
Gerrard said: “I haven’t seen Filip with my own eyes since he had his positive test. I will speak to him over a message when I get on the bus and speak to him on the phone in the morning to get a feel of how he is feeling.
“But he will be missing for ten days isolating, which is a blow for us. With George missing as well, it leaves us a bit light in the centre-back area.
“That is what Covid can do to you. You have to try and guard against it and that is the reason that we tried Calvin there tonight.
“We know that he can play centre-back but it was just to give him a feel for it incase he is needed in the coming games. Hopefully we can get through with the bodies that we have got until Filip can return.
“We lost Nathan Patterson and we lose two today. So that is three that we have lost within a week. I am not sure that is lucky.”
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