Rangers early team news vs Club Brugge: Nico Raskin update shared, another now ‘touch and go’
Rangers return to action on Tuesday night when they face Club Brugge in the playoff round of the Champions League.
Russell Martin’s side have seen off Panathinaikos and Viktoria Plzen so far in Europe prior to their clash with the Belgian outfit.
Djeidi Gassama has been in fine goalscoring form in European competition so far this season, with the French winger scoring in both legs against Panathinaikos before netting a brace in the first leg against Plzen at Ibrox.
Prior to the first leg with Brugge, Martin provided an update regarding Nico Raskin, whose future at Ibrox has become a little unclear.
Raskin could feature after being rested against Alloa
Raskin did not feature over the weekend as Rangers defeated Alloa Athletic 4-2 in the Premier Sports Cup amid speculation regarding a potential exit for the midfielder.
The Gers boss has previously admitted that Raskin has been the subject of transfer interest from other clubs after impressing last season.
Wolves have been one of the clubs to express their interest in the 24-year-old, but Martin was insistent at his pre-game press conference on Monday that Raskin’s absence was due to him being rested, while dismissing the idea that the Belgian had asked for a move away.
Martin also stated that Raskin would play a big part in Gers’ season moving forward.
Cyriel Dessers ‘touch and go’ for game against Brugge
Dessers, 30, is a doubt for the game against Club Brugge, however, with the striker being labelled as “touch and go” by his manager.
Martin went on to confirm that Dessers would be available for their clash with St Mirren at the weekend at the very latest, but the European tie could come too quickly for the Nigerian.
- Dessers’ only goal of the campaign so far was a penalty against Viktoria Plzen
- Nigeria international scored 18 Scottish Premiership goals last season
- No player in the division matched that tally
None of the strikers have really been able to cement themselves as the first choice under Martin so far, with the former Southampton manager frequently chopping and changing with Dessers and Danilo when it comes to who is leading the line for Rangers.
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