Michael Beale provides Kieran Dowell injury update ahead of Rangers v PSV
Kieran Dowell will miss Rangers’ crucial second leg of their Champions League playoff tie against PSV, manager Michael Beale has confirmed.
The attacking midfielder is the only player missing in an otherwise fully fit squad for Beale to choose from as the Gers try and book their place in the group stages.
Dowell has made six appearances in all competitions for Rangers since joining on a free transfer from Norwich City in the summer, but will not feature in Eindhoven.
Speaking at a press conference, in quotes reported by the Glasgow Times, Beale said: “Kieran Dowell is the only one missing with a slight problem with his knee.
“It’s not a big problem, this match is just too soon for him.”
Unfortunate
The good news for Rangers is they have no shortage of attacking options, with Todd Cantwell, Abdallah Sima, Sam Lammers, and Rabbi Matondo among the options to feature, with Danilo, Kemar Roofe, and Cyriel Dessers obviously providing the central striker options.
But it is undoubtedly a shame for Dowell who signed for Rangers to feature in evenings like this, while manager Beale would have wanted to have Dowell available to utilise his talents should his side need to try and unlock the game.
The tie is tantalisingly poised at 2-2 after a frenetic first leg in Glasgow, and having as many attack-minded players available as possible would have been the absolute ideal scenario for Beale.
As it is, he will have to make do without Dowell in what is already an absolutely vital moment in Rangers’ season. The riches of the Champions League is what everyone associated with the club is desperate to achieve.
In other Rangers news, Ronald de Boer believes Rabbi Matondo can be key against PSV.