It looks increasingly likely that Rangers will have to cope with the threat of Erling Haaland in Thursday night’s Europa League clash at Ibrox.
The lowdown
Borussia Dortmund travel to Glasgow looking to overturn a 4-2 deficit from the first leg and claim their place in the Europa League round of 16.
They warmed up for their trip to Scotland by thumping Borussia Monchengladbach 6-0 on Sunday, but Haaland was only watching on from the stands.
The Norwegian striker has missed the last four games, including the first leg against Rangers, as a result of an adductor injury.
The latest
Ruhr 24 report that the return of Haaland ‘beckons’, with ‘growing hope’ among Dortmund officials that he will be available to face Rangers at Ibrox. He apparently took part in a full training session on Monday alongside the other reserves.
However, the Gers’ opponents have been hit with injury blows to two other players. Centre-back Dan Axel Zagadou faces ‘a few weeks out’ with a muscle tear he sustained against Monchengladbach.
Gio Reyna, who was also forced off in the game at the weekend, has avoided a ‘serious thigh injury’ but is still likely to be ruled out for 14 days.
The verdict
Haaland’s likely return has the potential to transform the tie, even if he’s only fit enough to come off the bench. After all, this is a player who’s scoring every 70.4 minutes in 2021/22.
He also boasts a strong record in Europe, netting three times in as many appearances in the Champions League group stage this season to take his overall tally in the competition to 23 goals in 19 games.
Speaking to Football Insider, Danny Mills warned Rangers that the 21-year-old would have a ‘point to prove’ if he is able to play and could ‘quite easily’ bag at least two goals, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst himself has called the ‘lethal’ Haaland ‘one of top strikers in the world’ (via ESPN).
The Gers may be in a very strong position in the tie, but the prospect of facing Haaland will pose a whole new challenge.
In other news, this ‘half-hearted’ Rangers man has come under fire from some in the media