Azeem Siddiqui

Thu 18 August 2022 7:10, UK

Andy Walker believes the absence of Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey will be a problem for the Rangers when they will face PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of the Champions League qualification playoffs.

The Gers managed to draw the first leg with a score of 2-2 whereas the next fixture will be played on next Tuesday.

Walker, while talking to Go Radio, stated that Rangers have shown it time in the last two to three seasons that they can surprise any opposition but that was largely down to Aribo and Bassey.

“It doesn’t matter that Rangers have lost two goals at home,” he said. “They have just got a draw and they [PSV] can be a bit more open minded in attack.

“Rangers have shown time and time again over the last couple of season’s that they are capable of going away from home and getting a big result.

“The only thing I would say is that was with Joe Aribo and with Calvin Bassey. I thought the two of them were consistently playing at a high level. I’m just not convinced this Rangers team is as good as that one.”

Big test

Looking at Walkers’ words, it is not hard to understand what he is saying and why he is saying as both Aribo and Bassey were key to the side’s success in the previous season as well as when Rangers finished as the runners-up in the Europa League following a defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.

However, to fill that void, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has made some important additions to the squad and the fans will be hoping that the players will not use the absence of two stars who have already left the club as an excuse when they will face PSV the next week.

It will be a major test for the Dutch manager as well who will know that a win there would help the club in generating a significant amount of money to spend in the transfer market whereas a defeat would be a significant blow for the club’s ambitions as well.

In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson now has names lined up just in case Alfredo Morelos seals his exit this summerComment below