Sport
Rangers handed striker boost as player Clement-backed star makes return
Young Rangers striker Zak Lovelace has made his long-awaited return from injury as the Ibrox B team are humbled by Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The 18-year-old striker started on the bench as the Rangers Academy side fell to a 3-0 Glasgow Cup defeat to Celtic at Lennoxtown.
Replacing Josh Gentles with 58 minutes on the clock, the 30 minutes played by Zak Lovelace is a huge step forward for the young Rangers talent after a devastating few months.
Last seen in Rangers colours all the way back in the 2-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Mirren in October, let’s hope the young hitman can get back into the first team squad as soon as possible.
Zak Lovelace returns from injury
English youth international Lovelace had sustained a devastating hamstring injury after breaking through into the first team during the interim reign of Steven Davis in October.
The young striker was given his opportunity in Paisley and set up the opener on what was his first ever start for the Ibrox club.
Lovelace had forced the ball across the St Mirren box with Ryan Strain hand balling and James Tavernier duly dispatching the spot kick before the striker was forced off on a stretcher.
Whilst Ross McCausland has kicked on since that match, the young Northern Irishman also involved from the start under Davo, Zak Lovelace has been forced into a period of recovery.
Let’s hope that it’s behind the kid now and Rangers can get to see some more of the ex-Millwall striker’s young talents.
Rangers manager hints at squad role
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has also hinted that there is a place for Zak Lovelace in his squad as he discussed the striker situation in Glasgow.
With Kemar Roofe, Danilo and Abdallah Sima, currently injured, Rangers only have two fit forward options in Cyriel Dessers and Fabio Silva.
Speaking to the press about a failure to sign another body in January, Clement pointed to Lovelace potentially filling the void.
“We have Zak Lovelace also who was out injured,” said Clement. “I’ve not seen him live with me but I saw him before and he is somebody with a bright future so you can have maybe six or seven strikers but you cannot play them all.”
Zak Lovelace has made four appearances for the Rangers first-team since joining the club in the summer of 2022.
