Rangers’ opponents Lyon have confirmed a major boost ahead of Thursday’s crunch Europa League Group A clash at Ibrox.
On Tuesday evening, it was reported that 96-cap Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri would be unavailable to face the Gers as he has not yet been fully vaccinated [Inside Futbol].
However, on Wednesday morning, the former Liverpool star was named in the visitors’ squad for the fixture.
Get French Football News subsequently explained, citing L’Equipe, that Shaqiri has been permitted to travel because he contracted and recovered from Covid a few months ago.
It means that the Rangers defence will likely have to contend with the tricky 29-year-old, who has won league titles in Switzerland, Germany and England, at some point during Thursday night’s fixture.
Shaqiri only made his debut for the French giants on Sunday following his August move from Anfield, playing 75 minutes and notching an assist in a 3-1 win over Strasbourg.
Other high-profile players poised to feature in Govan are Jerome Boateng, Houssem Aouar and Lucas Paqueta.
Lyon boss Peter Bosz doesn’t have a full squad to pick from, though, as Leo Dubois, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Thiago Mendes, Tino Kadewere and Moussa Dembele have all missed out through injury.
Ahead of the fixture, Rangers have edged ahead of Leicester and streaked clear of two other British clubs in a big UEFA poll.
