Rangers are heading into a Covid storm as the City of Liege becomes Belgium’s worst hit region and is dubbed the “new Lombardy”.
The region is fast becoming a Covid outbreak epicentre and Rangers must maintain a mega secure bubble around their stars with one in four tests in the city coming back positive with the Lombardy reference being coined by Dr Laurent Jadot [Sky News].
Lombardy is of course the region of Italy which became the European epicentre of the virus in March.
Standard Liege’s preparations for their Europa League clash with Rangers have also been thrown into disarray after three first team players tested positive for Covid-19.
Another two are in isolation awaiting the outcome of testing meaning they could be without five first-team players in total for the match with Rangers.
But whilst the situation almost certainly hands Steven Gerrard’s side an on-field advantage, it also highlights the perilous dangers of travelling to this region of the continent.
Standard’s positive tests also come after the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Club Brugge, after which Brugge had three players test positive on Monday.
With incubation periods varied if this is the origin of the outbreak and if this has affected more members of the Standard squad it could be days before we find out.
This match will go ahead unless Standard cannot provide a squad of 13 players which generates new worries about the same thing potentially happening to the Rangers team.
If the virus has got into the Standard squad and players are fielded who have not yet tested positive and who have not yet shown symptoms it could be disastrous for Rangers.
Not to mention the fact Steven Gerrard’s squad are heading into an area being compared to a former virus epicentre in Europe.
This is part and parcel of the risk of European football and fans will be hoping this on-form Rangers squad can escape Liege with three points and their players unscathed.
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