Rangers early team news v Borussia Dortmund: Aaron Ramsey one of three players ruled out
Leon Balogun is ready to return to action for Rangers when they welcome Borussia Dortmund to Ibrox in the second leg of their Europa League play-off on Thursday night.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday [23 February], the 33-year-old centre-back confirmed his availability after missing the last three games.
As quoted by Rangers’ official Twitter account, Balogun said: “Yeah, I’m available and back fit. I’m here and ready.”
While there’s good news in that regard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed that Aaron Ramsey will join Ianis Hagi (knee) and Filip Helander (unregistered) on the sidelines for the showdown with Dortmund.
“Ramsey won’t be in the squad for tomorrow, no other fresh injury news,” said van Bronckhorst on Wednesday, as quoted on the Gers’ official Twitter account.
Huge game
Ramsey didn’t start against Dortmund last week when Rangers won 4-2 at Signal Iduna Park in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, so losing him isn’t a massive blow.
It is, however, a blow going forward for the infamously injury-prone Wales midfielder, who’s yet to make his mark in Scotland since joining on loan from Juventus in January.
Away from that, having Balogun back is a big boost.
Calvin Bassey has looked so much better at left-back rather than the left-sided centre-half. Balogun can now come in and play alongside Connor Goldson and the ever-unreliable Borna Barisic can be left on the bench.
With Hagi and Helander, it’s unfortunate.
Hagi’s injury is a massive blow but with Helander, why on earth was he not registered yet players like James Sands are? It makes no sense.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have talks scheduled with their SPFL rivals next week over a major issue in Scottish football.