Rangers defender Declan John eager for return after missing Celtic clash
Friday 29 September 2017 10:56, UK
Rangers defender Declan John is desperate to return to action after injury prevented the full-back from making his Old Firm debut.
The 22-year-old suffered a thigh injury in Rangers' 3-1 Betfred Cup quarter-final win over Partick Thistle, which fell four days before their derby clash with Celtic.
John, who arrived at Ibrox on Deadline Day on a season long loan deal from Cardiff, believes he has made a positive start at the club, and was disappointed to be sidelined for the Old Firm defeat.
"I was doing quite well," said John. "To pick up the injury didn't really help and to miss that massive game against Celtic wasn't good for me, but we'll play against them again later in the season."
He added: "I was really gutted to miss the game against Celtic. I've been back training and hoping to be fit for Friday.
"The atmosphere, especially the first 20 minutes was incredible really. I haven't really been involved in a game with an atmosphere like that, so I would definitely liked to have featured."
Goals from Tom Rogic and Leigh Griffiths extended Celtic's lead over Rangers to seven points to sit top of the Scottish Premiership.
But despite Rangers' slow start to the campaign, John is confident he and his teammates can turn it around.
He said: "At the end of the day you can look at points, but looking at the football we have played at times has been pretty good.
"It's just the difference in the two boxes at the end of the day. Trying to keep a clean sheet and trying to score more goals."
"I think with anything it takes time, it doesn't come easy and straightforward. It will take time but we have a good group of boys here.
"It is such a massive club and especially with the fans - you're expected to win every game and we expect to win every game as well. Like I said, some of the results haven't gone our way."
John will be back in contention for Pedro Caixinha's side when Rangers travel to Hamilton on Friday evening.
