Philippe Clement responds when asked if Fabio Silva is free to face Kilmarnock

Fabio Silva could be in line to make his Rangers debut in the Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock. The Gers have already announced the signing of the 21-year-old Portugal talent, the Wolves striker joining the club on loan until the end of the season.

Due to transfer registration rules, the ex-Porto attacker was not available for the weekend trip to Celtic Park but he is in the frame for the clash with Kilmarnock. Rangers are decidedly short in the offensive part of the pitch with the Ibrox club relying on Cyriel Dessers after injuries to Danilo and Kemar Roofe earlier in the campaign. Philippe Clement on Fabio Silva and Kilmarnock Rangers manager Philippe Clement was asked about about Fabio Silva being available to face Kilmarnock. The Ibrox boss claims that – at the time of the recording – the Portuguese striker had not yet trained with his new teammates. Whilst the Belgian manager refused to confirm if the £35m striker would be involved, he did tell journalists that he will assess the squad and make a decision heading into the match. “(Fabio Silva) didn’t train yet with the team,” said Philippe Clement.

“We will see about availability of players and this and that. “I need to see also after every game what is the situation with the players, so we will see.” Whatever you read into these comments, they appear to suggest that squad registration will not be an issue for Rangers if they plan to use Fabio Silva in the match. Rangers fans hoping for striker boost Rangers fans will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the club’s first January signing under Philippe Clement this evening.

The Gers are set to welcome an on-form Kilmarnock side to Ibrox and the club will need all the firepower it can get if they’re to break Derek McInnes’s side down. The presence of Fabio Silva against Kilmarnock – even on the bench – also promises to lift Rangers spirits as the squad licks its wound after another Old Firm defeat. Rangers have been embroiled in some drama with the SFA ever since the match, pointing to the woeful standard of officiating on show inside Parkhead. It would also be the forward’s second appearance at Ibrox, Silva having played for Porto in a 2-0 defeat against the Gers in 2019.

MORE NEWS ON RANGERS HERE