Rangers face Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-final this Saturday with a key question mark over the fitness of midfielder Connor Ronan. The 26-year-old damaged his medial knee ligament in a recent match and his status for the Hampden Park tie remains unresolved.

Stephen Robinson confirmed the injury after the 3-2 defeat to Dundee United, a game in which Ronan had provided an assist. "There is certainly a concern about Connor," Robinson said. The manager added that Ronan would miss Wednesday's Premiership match against Falkirk, leaving his participation in the cup semi-final in doubt until the final medical assessments.

Rangers enter the match in strong domestic form, sitting second in the Premiership with 24 points from 11 games. They are four points behind leaders Celtic and are unbeaten in their last five league outings, a run that includes a 2-2 draw with Hearts last time out. Kevin Kelsy and Olwethu Makhanya were on the scoresheet in that match, with Ryan Naderi providing an assist. Naderi is the team's top scorer this season with five goals in ten appearances, a key attacking threat as they look to secure a place in the December 13th final against either Hearts or Hibernian.

Aberdeen's defensive crisis

Aberdeen arrive at Hampden with significant problems in defence. Manager Derek McInnes has only two fit senior centre-backs, Jack Milne and Gavin Molloy, available for selection. Lewis Mayo is out for at least two months with a fractured foot, Dan Happe is suspended, Kristers Tobers is recovering from a knee injury and illness, and Mats Knoester has a tendon problem that will keep him out for the next two games. This defensive fragility comes during a poor run of league form for the Dons, who have lost four of their last five Premiership matches.

Recent form and head-to-head

Rangers' recent results show a team building momentum. Their last five matches read DWDWW, with a 4-0 victory over St Johnstone and a 3-1 win against Kilmarnock among the highlights. Their next league fixture is away to St Mirren on November 7, a team they beat 1-0 earlier in the season. The head-to-head record this season favours Rangers, who secured a 1-0 victory over Aberdeen in the Premiership on August 30. The winner of Saturday's semi-final will advance to the final, with Rangers aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since 2011. Official team news, including a final decision on Ronan, is expected from the club before Saturday's kick-off.