Soccer: Albertz faces fitness race
Rangers midfielder Jorg Albertz is battling to get fit in time for next week’s CIS Cup semi-final showdown with Celtic.
But the German still has not had the all-clear following treatment on the ankle injury which saw him end up in hospital on Saturday evening.
Albertz was hurt setting up Kenny Miller for Rangers’ second goal in the 2-0 Scottish Cup third-round victory over Brechin City. He took a heavy knock under a challenge from Greig Smith and it was first feared he had broken a bone.
X-rays showed that was not the case but Albertz still faces further tests and has been hobbling round Ibrox on crutches.
He told Rangers News: ‘‘The first scans haven’t shown anything serious but I will know for sure after my next one.
‘‘I’m not in any pain and I feel as though I could play at the weekend, although when I turn my ankle some ways it hurts a little.
‘‘I was worried when I hit the turf on Saturday but hopefully the injury won’t be as bad as first thought.’’
Manager Dick Advocaat has already ruled Albertz out of his plans for Saturday’s home match with Dunfermline, which kicks off at 12.55pm for live pay-per-view broadcast.
He said of Albertz’s injury: ‘‘I don’t think it looks very serious but he’s out for Saturday.’’
The Old Firm meet at Hampden Park on February 7 for the semi-final and then do battle again in the league at Parkhead the following Sunday.
