First team Rangers midfielder John Lundstram has been officially ruled out of the club’s Champions League QR3 clash with Swiss outfit Servette.
The 29-year-old came off the bench as a second half substitute in the 4-0 Premiership win over Livingston, with Michael Beale confirming the player’s Swiss absence for personal reasons after the match.
Rangers also dropped Connor Goldson and Ryan Jack for the game against the Lions, with Michael Beale confirming that this was just part of general squad rotation with recent injuries requiring management.
“Everyone is fine for Tuesday,” said Michael Beale.
“John Lundstram won’t travel [to Servette] because of a family personal thing so there was a reason I left Jakco out, to make sure he was available.
“Connor was never going to play three games in a week. He’s trained three times with the team and played twice so that’s a big pat on the back for the physios. It was in our plan not to play him three games in a week.”
The Rangers manager also claimed that influential midfielder Todd Cantwell had to take a late fitness test to make the game after experiencing some bumps and bruises from the first leg.
John Lundstram ruled out Rangers Servette return
Rangers take a slender 2-1 lead to Switzerland after overcoming Servette at Ibrox but now head into the return leg without John Lundstram in the squad.
Whilst the midfielder has been the subject of much criticism as of late, the ex-Sheffield United star is a senior member of the Ibrox team and has been an important player on the European stage.
With the chance of a likely Champions League Playoff against PSV Eindhoven in wait, Rangers also know that reaching the final round of qualification comes with its own financial benefits.
Everyone wants to reach the Champions League for the prestige which comes with it but whoever wins between Rangers and Servette are guaranteed a cool €5m (£4m) from UEFA just for reaching the Playoff.
It’s a not inconsiderable fee and Rangers will have one eye on the cash prize as they head to Servette with John Lundstram to miss out for personal reasons.
