Rangers manager Gio van Bronckhorst has confirmed that Ibrox star Kemar Roofe is yet to return to training ahead of next week’s Europa League final – and it doesn’t bode well for the striker’s chances of making the showpiece Seville clash.
The Light Blues face Eintracht Frankfurt next week at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Seville but the Jamaican international seems to be running out of time to show he is fit enough to play a part.
Roofe has been a big part of Rangers’ success in Europe this season and to miss out on the final would be a big blow for both the player and the team.
However, if he’s not even training with less than a week to go until Rangers take to the pitch in Seville, it is hard to see him have any involvement against Frankfurt.
Had Roofe been fit enough to play some part this weekend against Hearts, then you could have maybe seen him coming featuring in the Europa League final – but it appears his chances of appearing are all but over.
Van Bronckhorst will no doubt give him until the very last minute just in case Rangers need to throw him on in the dying moments of the game or if it goes to penalties.
Instead, it looks as though Joe Aribo is going to be the man to lead the line for Rangers against Frankfurt as the Light Blues go looking for the club’s second European trophy.
Rangers can still triumph in Europa League final without Roofe
After progressing through the semi-final against RB Leipzig without Roofe, there’s nothing to suggest we can’t beat Eintracht Frankfurt without him.
Yes, it’s a shame to miss him for such a big game but it’s hardly the end of Rangers’ chances of lifting the trophy.
Hopefully, Roofe is back fit and playing again soon, however, Rangers can’t hang everything on a miraculous recovery for next week.