Rangers handed Champions League boost after decision Servette ‘deplore’
Rangers have been handed a Champions League boost ahead of their qualification clash after Servette midfielder Gaël Ondoua was not granted a visa to enter Scotland.
The Glasgow Times reported online (8 August) that the 27-year-old can’t play for Servette in the away fixture despite the club’s best efforts to resolve the situation.
The Gers face off against the Swiss side on Wednesday (9 August) at Ibrox in the first leg of the third round of Champions League qualifiers, but could face an easier challenge through Ondoua’s absence.
In a club statement, as quoted by the Glasgow Times (8 August), Servette said: “The significant efforts made for more than two weeks by the club and its player, also in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association, have not been enough.
“The club deplores this situation and supports its player and his team, which will have to deal without a major player in its workforce for non-sporting reasons.”
Fortunate
While Rangers head into this clash as the favourites, they will take this little bit of luck.
It is a massive shame for Servette, however, who seemingly went to every length to try and get Ondoua the appropriate clearance to enter the country. The Cameroon international recently rejoined the Swiss side after two seasons with Hannover 96 but was a key player for them in his initial two years.
While he did not feature much last season for the German side, the full international would have clearly been key to Servette’s potential success considering the lengths the club went to to resolve the problem.
However, Servette boss Rene Weiler remains focused on the challenge at hand. Discussing Ondoua’s absence he said, as reported by the Glasgow Times: “It’s clear these players are important for us but I don’t want to spend much time talking about players who can’t play. I want to focus on the players who are capable of playing.”
But Michael Beale must secretly be pleased about the news. Rangers are looking to bounce back after their surprise 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in their opening league match.
Pressure is mounting on the manager to ensure Rangers have a standout season, and the poor start can be instantly rectified with a strong with in front of the Ibrox crowds.
Beale addressed the need to bounce back in a pre-match press conference (8 August) when he said: “Naturally, we’re hugely frustrated and disappointed with the weekend. It wasn’t what any of us wanted, but we can’t have the time to dwell on it. It’s a really important game tomorrow night.”
Rangers must seize this opportunity, and with the added bonus of the opposition being without a key player, they have every chance.
In other Rangers news, Beale has revealed which offer was too good to refuse following a player departure.