Joe Ellis

Sun 20 February 2022 21:40, UK

Rangers already have a two-goal cushion from the first leg of their Europa League playoff against Borussia Dortmund, but things may have got easier.

The Bundesliga side may have destroyed Borussia Monchengladbach just hours after the Light Blues drew away at Dundee United but they suffered another injury blow in the process.

American teenager Giovanni Reyna, named after Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, made his first start since his return from injury but only lasted half an hour, to the sadness of fans everywhere such as Men in Blazers on Twitter.

He went down with an injury to his right thigh, the same area which had kept him out since August, and was visibly upset as he left the pitch [BILD].

It’s a huge shame for the 19-year-old but it does give Rangers an added boost ahead of Thursday’s return leg as if they needed one.

Reyna has the ability and creativity to change a game by himself which is exactly what Borussia Dortmund need at Ibrox in midweek.

To not have the American is a huge blow and makes this game almost unloseable for van Bronckhorst’s men.

Especially with goal machine Erling Haaland already on the sidelines and missing again against Gladbach.

Rangers have already proved to the world that they can mix it with some of Europe’s finest but now they have to prove again that it wasn’t a flash in the pan and that this is their level now.

Dortmund will come to Glasgow with the bit between their teeth and no doubt start fast having walloped in six at the weekend and in desperate need of goals to save their continental season.

If the Gers can resist the early onslaught, they will be well on their way to the next round of the Europa League where no team will fancy a trip to Scotland’s champions.

In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit was amazed by what one player did at Tannadice as Dundee United held on for a 1-1 draw on Sunday.