George Overhill

Fri 20 May 2022 15:42, UK

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that defender Borna Barisic is unavailable for Rangers in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.

The Croatian started the Europa League final defeat in Seville on Wednesday (18 May) but has been ruled out for the clash with Hearts on Saturday (21 May).

Everyone else who featured in the 120 minutes and penalties in midweek is available, and the manager expects Alex Lowry to have a role.

In an update from his pre-match press conference, shared on the club’s Twitter page he said: “We had a tough game with 120 minutes in difficult heat.

“We had a good recovery today. Borna is not available for tomorrow, all other players who featured are available for tomorrow.

“Alex is a big talent for us, he will be in the squad tomorrow and can hopefully play a part in this game. It will be great to see him develop moving forward.

Revive

It is going to be extremely hard to lift themselves for what is still a hugely important final after the heartbreak on Wednesday.

But the meeting with the Jambos is going to be the difference between finishing this season with silverware or going empty-handed.

The European crown was the big one, and they came so close to claiming it, with only Aaron Ramsey’s miss ultimately the difference.

Everyone related to the club will hope that the Hampden clash does not turn out in the same way that too many of the domestic fixtures did this season, following emotional exertions on the continent.

But the size of the game, the setting, and the opposition must surely ensure that is not a major risk.

In many ways it is a positive that there is an opportunity to restore some celebrations so soon after the deflation of Seville.

Whatever happens on Saturday it has been a memorable season, but it will certainly end with far more questions if they don’t lift the cup at the end of it.

In other Rangers news, Ryanair has trolled the fans over their European misery.