Salamanca
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Shamed Rangers trio Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey and Bongani Zungu could all be free to face Livingston next week despite being fined by cops for a recent high-profile Covid rule breach.
And Patterson is even available available for Thursday's Europa League showdown against Antwerp after being allowed back with the squad.
The three players issued grovelling apologies on the club’s internal media platform after being banished into self-isolation for attending an illegal house party this month.
But there has been no suggestion yet from Rangers bosses they will now face a suspension from Steven Gerrard’s Auchenhowie HQ – despite Jordan Jones and George Edmundson previously being punished with two-week bans for being involved in a similar late night incident at a flat in Glasgow’s west end. They were later further hammered with seven game suspensions after being charged by the SFA’s compliance officer.
Record Sport understands Patterson, Bassey and Zungu will also be punished by the disciplinary chiefs but – as their cases cannot be fast-tracked – all three could be available for next week’s trip to Livi.
That means Patterson could even be in line for a starting place, with first choice right-back James Tavernier still missing.
In a statement issued in the name of Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson there was no mention of club bans for the three first-team stars nor for academy kids Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude who were also present at the party.
Loanee Mebude, though, could be free for Queen of the South’s clash with Dunfermline and the statement read: “Over the course of the last week, we have both ensured that all our players understand our expectations when you are part of this great club.
“The players involved have been left in no uncertain terms as to the standards everyone here is expected to adhere to. It has been an extremely difficult week for those players following their admission of an error of judgement whilst dealing with the consequences of their actions.
“Our internal discussions were supported by the immediate honesty shown by the players and an appreciation they fell well below the standards we expect at Rangers Football Club, day in and day out.
“Those standards form the foundation that we have set as a club in order to achieve our targets as a team.
“The first-team squad players have now returned to Auchenhowie. We are both now satisfied that the players completely understand their obligations to our club and accept with sincerity the strong disciplinary sanctions that we have imposed upon them for letting us all down.
“We accept their apologies to the club, their team-mates and the fans, for whom we are forever grateful for their resolute support and loyalty.”
Patterson told RangersTV: “I want to apologise to my family. I’ve apologised to the players and assured them nothing like this will ever happen again.
“I’ve spoken to the gaffer and I’ve spoken to Ross at great length about the situation and how we move forward.
“I apologise to the fans. Being a Rangers fan since birth and being a player here since the age of eight, I know the privileges and I know the meaning behind the shirt and the high standards expected at this top club.”
Bassey said: “I’d like to apologise to my family for putting them through this hard time
“I want to say sorry to the players, to the board, to the manager, to Ross and lastly to the fans.
“I’m sorry for my mistakes and hopefully I can move forward and fulfil my potential at this great club.”
Zungu added: “I’d like to apologise to the Rangers fans. It’s been a great season so far for the club and my message is I’d like to apologise.”
And Patterson is even available available for Thursday's Europa League showdown against Antwerp after being allowed back with the squad.
The three players issued grovelling apologies on the club’s internal media platform after being banished into self-isolation for attending an illegal house party this month.
But there has been no suggestion yet from Rangers bosses they will now face a suspension from Steven Gerrard’s Auchenhowie HQ – despite Jordan Jones and George Edmundson previously being punished with two-week bans for being involved in a similar late night incident at a flat in Glasgow’s west end. They were later further hammered with seven game suspensions after being charged by the SFA’s compliance officer.
Record Sport understands Patterson, Bassey and Zungu will also be punished by the disciplinary chiefs but – as their cases cannot be fast-tracked – all three could be available for next week’s trip to Livi.
That means Patterson could even be in line for a starting place, with first choice right-back James Tavernier still missing.
In a statement issued in the name of Gerrard and sporting director Ross Wilson there was no mention of club bans for the three first-team stars nor for academy kids Brian Kinnear and Dapo Mebude who were also present at the party.
Loanee Mebude, though, could be free for Queen of the South’s clash with Dunfermline and the statement read: “Over the course of the last week, we have both ensured that all our players understand our expectations when you are part of this great club.
“The players involved have been left in no uncertain terms as to the standards everyone here is expected to adhere to. It has been an extremely difficult week for those players following their admission of an error of judgement whilst dealing with the consequences of their actions.
“Our internal discussions were supported by the immediate honesty shown by the players and an appreciation they fell well below the standards we expect at Rangers Football Club, day in and day out.
“Those standards form the foundation that we have set as a club in order to achieve our targets as a team.
“The first-team squad players have now returned to Auchenhowie. We are both now satisfied that the players completely understand their obligations to our club and accept with sincerity the strong disciplinary sanctions that we have imposed upon them for letting us all down.
“We accept their apologies to the club, their team-mates and the fans, for whom we are forever grateful for their resolute support and loyalty.”
Patterson told RangersTV: “I want to apologise to my family. I’ve apologised to the players and assured them nothing like this will ever happen again.
“I’ve spoken to the gaffer and I’ve spoken to Ross at great length about the situation and how we move forward.
“I apologise to the fans. Being a Rangers fan since birth and being a player here since the age of eight, I know the privileges and I know the meaning behind the shirt and the high standards expected at this top club.”
Bassey said: “I’d like to apologise to my family for putting them through this hard time
“I want to say sorry to the players, to the board, to the manager, to Ross and lastly to the fans.
“I’m sorry for my mistakes and hopefully I can move forward and fulfil my potential at this great club.”
Zungu added: “I’d like to apologise to the Rangers fans. It’s been a great season so far for the club and my message is I’d like to apologise.”
