Glasgow Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed John Lundstram will need to be assessed ahead of the Gers’ quarter-final second leg in the Europa League.
The Bears will host Portuguese outfit SC Braga at Ibrox on Thursday as they attempt to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 14 years. They were on the end of a 1-0 defeat away from home last week, leaving them with plenty of work to overturn the deficit.
The 55-time Scottish champions’ job may need to be completed without Lundstram, it has been revealed. Speaking during his post-match press conference at the weekend, Van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports (via Rangers Review): “Lundstram felt his groin a little bit so we have to assess this in the next few days to see how he is.
“Hopefully he will make it for Thursday.”
But what could this mean for the Braga match? We take a look at the potential consequences of Lundstram missing out.
Van Bronckhorst anxious
This is not exactly the news Van Bronckhorst will have wanted ahead of such a huge tie. Lundstram has been a mainstay in the Rangers matchday squad this season, appearing in 40 games in all competitions, including 10 in the Europa League proper. He has also started eight of the last nine Scottish Premiership matches, suggesting he has grown in importance as the season has progressed.
He has shone at the right moments, too, scoring in Rangers’ memorable 4-2 defeat of Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park. Should he be unavailable, Van Bronckhorst has a big decision to make as to who should replace him in the middle of the park.
Chance for Davis
Despite the large number of central midfielders at the manager’s disposal, Lundstram has been almost immovable from the starting lineup in the Europa League, having started each of the last six games in the competition. As such, Van Bronckhorst may need to introduce a fringe player into the first XI.
With Joe Aribo, Glen Kamara and Aaron Ramsey all likely to play, there is space for one other central midfielder from Ryan Jack, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis.
The latter has not featured too often this term – at the age of 37, he likely cannot handle playing week-in, week-out – but the Northern Ireland international has experience to spare.
Along with Allan McGregor, he is the only player to have featured in Rangers’ last deep European run when they made the final of the UEFA Cup in 2008. That year, the Scottish outfit also needed a strong quarter-final second-leg performance to progress, winning 2-0 at Sporting. As long as he has others to do the heavy work for him, Davis’ composure could end up being invaluable.
TIF Verdict…
As of now, it is not clear whether Van Bronckhorst will have Lundstram available – he didn’t rule him out officially. Still, the Dutchman must be prepared for all possibilities.
Will Rangers progress?
Yes
No
Ultimately, Rangers must provide more attacking threat if they want to progress. Last week, they failed to register a single shot on target and were largely outplayed by their opponents. Hopefully for the Gers, the Ibrox crowd will roar them on to victory.