While no excuses whatsoever would have been accepted, Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha would have nevertheless been left to rue missing some of his key men at the back for the Old Firm clash.
The defensive trio of Bruno Alves, Lee Wallace, Declan John were unavailable for selection due to injuries, but the Portuguese boss have been recently boosted with the return of the Portugal international and 2 other first teamers.
Alves returned to training while on international duty with his country, and could taste action in either or both of their World Cup qualifiers against Andorra on Saturday and Switzerland next Tuesday.
Defender Danny Wilson, who has struggled with a calf injury, is also back in full training with his other Rangers teammates.
Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar, who missed the last 3 league games to a knee knock, is also on road to full recovery, and should be available, alongside the aforementioned duo, for the visit to St. Johnstone when league action resumes on the 13th.
