I am not a doctor...even if I'd like to be at times

Phil awaits verdict on crocks... but knows fit bunch when he sees one

- ANDY NEWPORT

IT'S little wonder Philippe Clement doesn't have a degree in medicine given the number of health-related questions he has to face on a daily basis.

Rarely a week goes by when the Rangers boss isn't asked to give a prognosis for when he expects one of his crocked stars to return. Last night it was Dujon Sterling and Ross McCausland giving cause for concern after both limped off at Easter Road. 

But it's also been Todd Cantwell, Danilo, Abdallah Sima, Kieran Dowell, Oscar Cortes and Scott Wright lately as Gers' never-ending list of injuries continue to mount. As always, Clement made clear that enquiries over injury diagnoses are for someone more qualified at Ibrox to address.

But he was happy to address the new lung capacity his team are showing as they continue to fight on all fronts.

It was a leggy display in Leith after Thursday's taxing Europa League efforts in Lisbon yet the Light Blues had enough in the tank to overcome Nick Montgomery's pumped-up Hibs during a thrilling Scottish Cup quarter-final clash.

That's in large part down to the gruelling sessions Gers were put through during their January training camp in Spain, which Clement insists were just what the doctor ordered.

He said: "It is clear for everyone if you look now and four months ago there is a huge change.

"You see it also in all the stats of the team. We are not where I want them to be but for that I need preparation - what they missed, clearly, because still people are falling out and coming out and others falling out and coming back so there are only a few players really ready for what I want, and that is a competitive team who are there every three days with that intensity.