Rangers vs Livingston latest as player given permission to miss Ibrox clash to party
Joshua Brenet has been told he can sit out Livingston’s clash with Rangers this weekend in order to continue celebrating Curacao’s World Cup qualifying success.
Danny Rohl is expected to make several changes against Livingston, with the injured John Souttar set to miss out.
Souttar was injured in the warm-up of Scotland’s game against Denmark, with the defender set to be a key loss for the Gers.
Matters were only made worse when Derek Cornelius was forced off through injury while playing for Canada on Tuesday.
Nasser Djiga will likely come into the team, with Rohl hoping tests will reveal good news for both defenders.
Joshua Brenet set to miss Ibrox visit
Rangers have recovered after a difficult week that saw them lose to both Celtic and Roma.
Rohl had looked to have turned over a new leaf with his team, before Old Firm derby disaster in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final brought the bad feeling back.
That disappointing loss was followed by a dismal night at Ibrox, when Serie A side Roma trounced the Gers in the Europa League.
But Rangers beat Dundee FC 3-0, in what was an instant response from Rohl’s side.
| Rangers – form |
| Dundee FC 0-3 Rangers |
| Rangers 0-2 Roma |
| Celtic 3-1 Rangers |
| Hibernian 0-1 Rangers |
| Rangers 3-1 Kilmarnock |
The German will now hope that the international break will have given his side a chance to take a breather and prepare for a key run of fixtures.
Livingston are at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table and will be without right-back Joshua Brenet for the trip, with the defender set to be partying instead.
The 31-year-old helped make history on international duty, when his national team Curacao became the smallest nation ever to ever qualify for the World Cup.
Livingston boss David Martindale was asked if Brenet would be available for Saturday’s game following the historic qualification, and said: “No. The flights back anyway were always going to be tight.
“Curacao are throwing a massive celebration for all the players and their families. He said he was happy to miss it if I wanted him back on Friday, but I said: ‘Look, go and enjoy it.’
“So I gave him a couple of extra days and said: ‘Go and enjoy yourself, go and enjoy your moment and we’ll see you next week.'”
World Cup fever hits Scotland
It was not just Curacao celebrating World Cup qualification this week. Kieran Tierney’s stunning strike to seal victory against Denmark on Tuesday saw Hampden Park explode.
Scotland will now be going to the World Cup next year, with Rangers players Souttar, Liam Kelly and Connor Barron hoping to secure a spot on the plane.
Just as it is in Curacao, it is fair to say Ibrox will be in a celebratory mood on Saturday, and Rohl will hope his team can feed off that positivity.
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