Europa League: Rangers to miss Leon Balogun’s service

Scottish Premiership champions, Glasgow Rangers, will head into their glamour Europa League knockout round playoff tie with Borussia Dortmund without Leon Balogun, manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst confirmed at the pre-match press conference yesterday.

The Nigeria international centre-back has had injury issues dating back to November 21, 2021, limiting him to only four appearances in all competitions since the start of the calendar year.

The ailment made him pull out of the Super Eagles squad to the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations.

Van Bronckhorst hinted at Balogun returning to the matchday squad when Dortmund visit the Ibrox Stadium next Thursday but that is not cast in stone.

Providing a fitness update at the pre-match press conference, the Dutchman stated : "Leon is not available for tomorrow, hopefully he will be okay for next week."

Joe Aribo and Calvin Bassey are presumably available for selection having come through the match against Hibernian unscathed.

A fourth Nigerian player in ex-Flying Eagles midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh has not been registered by Rangers for the Europa League.