Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has confirmed that January midfield signing Aaron Ramsey will miss the club’s Europa League clash with Borussia Dortmund.
The injury plagued midfielder was signed on a high-profile loan deal from Juventus on deadline day to much fanfare but remains a major fitness doubt at a pivotal part of the season.
The Welsh international, 31, came on as a late sub in last week’s clash against the German giants before missing the weekend’s bitterly disappointing 1-1 draw with Dundee United.
Despite the suggestion that Aaron Ramsey would be fit to face Borussia Dortmund at Ibrox, Dutch coach Gio has confirmed he will miss the tie.
In much better news, Nigerian international centre-back Leon Balogun will be fit to play as Rangers hope to hold on to a famous 4-2 victory in the Signal Iduna Park in Germany last week.
“Aaron won’t be in the squad tomorrow and apart from him and Ianis Hagi, we have everyone available for tomorrow,” said Van Bronckhorst [Rangers].
Aaron Ramsey out for Rangers as Leon Balogun returns v Dortmund
Whilst the situation surrounding Aaron Ramsey remains a bitter blow for Rangers fans, the return of Leon Balogun is a sizeable boost the Ibrox side.
The 33-year-old centre-back bolsters the club’s squad – especially with Filip Helander unregistered for the competition as he returns from injury – and Leon joined Gio in the press conference.
Speaking amid news that Erling Braut Haaland has not travelled with the German side to Glasgow for the game, Balogun admits he is “not going to complain” about the Norwegian’s absence.
“I think in these competitions you want to compete against the best,” said Balogun.
“I think he’s one of the best at the moment, so from that perspective it’s a sad thing.
“But if you look at what he means to Dortmund, it’s obviously a disadvantage and is going to weaken them up front a bit.
“But then again they have enough to compensate – probably not at the same level – so it’s mixed feelings. Definitely I’m not going to complain about though.”
Borussia Dortmund are a wounded animal after the defeat to Rangers in Germany and roared back with a six-goal hammering in the Bundesliga over the weekend.
