Rangers face a huge game at Ibrox on Thursday night in the Europa League with a spot in the semi-finals on the line, and the Gers are in need of goals to overturn last week’s defeat.
And football journalist Pete O’Rourke told This Is Futbol he does not think Amad Diallo will be in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s starting XI despite their need for attacking intent.
Do you think Diallo could change the game?
Yes
No
The Ivory Coast international has only played a handful of games for the Gers, having joined on loan in January from Manchester United.
And the youngster has been able to get his name on the scoresheet despite the lack of game time with his single goal coming against Ross County on his Premiership debut.
Having spent some time on the sidelines through injury, Diallo returned to action at the weekend with a cameo appearance against St Mirren, but O’Rourke does not feel he will start on Thursday night:
“He came off the bench at the weekend against St Mirren after a spell out with injury. Well, obviously Rangers need goals after losing the first leg 1-0, so Diallo could be an option. I think he’ll probably start on the bench,” said O’Rourke.
TIF Thoughts on O’Rourke’s comments…
Given Diallo, who is valued at £16.2 million (as per Transfermarkt), has been out with injury for a number of weeks and has not played much of a role in the Rangers side as a result, we agree with O’Rourke in that he will likely feature from the bench.
However, we will be interested to see what adjustments Van Bronckhorst makes during the game if his side are still chasing the one-goal deficit from the first leg as the game drags on.
Diallo has shown at youth level he is capable of scoring goals, but is yet to prove himself at the senior level since moving to the UK – but could tonight be the night he makes a name for himself on the main stage?
In other news: GVB anxious, fringe man to get rare nod: Rangers face injury worry – opinion