Rangers have been handed a boost ahead of their Europa League play-off tie against Galatasaray tonight with the news that several big names are set to miss-out.
According to The Scottish Sun, Radamel Falcao and Sofiane Feghouli are to be rested for the game and will have to be content with a place on the bench, however, Arda Turan is set to miss the game altogether with a virus – he has tested negative for Covid-19 though despite displaying symptoms.
The other notable absence is that of Younes Belhanda, the midfielder scored in the previous round for the Turkish giants but he is on his way to French side Nice, as reported by Rangers News.
There is no doubt that this is the hardest qualifying fixture that Steven Gerrard will have faced in his time as Rangers manager, the likes of Falcao and Turan are household names in European football and any advantage that he can get will be greatly appreciated.
Who's going through?
Rangers
Galatasaray
His own squad has been given a lift with the return of Ryan Jack and Brandon Barker, however, Cedric Itten faces a race to be fit, as revealed by the gaffer in his pre-match presser:
“(Ryan) Jack and (Brandon) Barker are both back in full training. (Cedric) Itten is a major doubt as he has a small issue with his knee.”
With Kemar Roffe also still unavailable, the last thing Gerrard would want is to lose another striker, however, he does still have Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe to call upon.
The tank will need to be emptied to ensure progress to the next round, but there is still the small matter of Ross County at home on Sunday to take care of before the international break – it’s going to be tough, but without the likes of Falcao, Turan, Feghouli and Belhanda, the gap between the two sides is a lot closer than when the draw was first made.