‘Very strange’, ‘Whaaaat?’ – Some Rangers fans react to Gerrard squad decision
Rangers have announced their squad for the Europa League group stage, with some surprising players left out of the 21 man squad.
Jermain Defoe, Jordan Jones and George Edmundson have been left out of Steven Gerrard’s European squad, with the Gers unable to fill the 25 available slots due to UEFA’s rules regarding club-trained players.
UEFA rules state that for the Europa League, clubs must have at least four club-trained players in their squad in addition to eight players trained in their home nation. Allan McGregor is the only club-trained first-team player in the first team forcing Gerrard to make do with a smaller squad.
This is a blow for Rangers with Defoe recently coming back to full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and looking ready to contribute to the Gers European journey after scoring in the qualifying rounds against Lincoln Red Imps.
Defoe made seven appearances for the Gers in the Europa League last season, netting two goals against St Joseph’s FC in the qualifying rounds to help secure a place in the group stage.
However, he only made a five-minute cameo appearance during the group stage, in the home win against Porto. He also missed all of the Gers knockout games with injuries to his calf and then hamstring.
Some fans have reacted differently to the news of Defoe’s omission. Some are confused by the decision, while others claim it makes sense as he can stay fit for league action without worrying about getting injured in Europe.
Here is how some Rangers fans reacted:
https://twitter.com/NewcoDemon/status/1314161408293113857
https://twitter.com/SeanRus84731686/status/1314166345962082308
https://twitter.com/MurtyNot/status/1314153378268745728
In other Rangers news, Rangers mainstay could miss Old Firm clash v Celtic amid injury worry.