Rangers have received a major boost ahead of their opening 2021/22 Europa League group stage fixture against Lyon, according to a report.
The Scottish Sun claims that vice-captain Connor Goldson has been given the green light to play against the French giants, following a period of isolation.
Goldson missed the Gers’ 2-1 win over St Johnstone in the Premiership on Saturday but is now expected to return to the starting XI on Thursday night.
It’s a major boost ahead of a high-profile fixture, particularly given Steven Gerrard’s lack of options at the back.
Filip Helander is set to be missing after being stretchered off with an injury in Perth, while Jack Simpson is ineligible for Europa League duty after being left out of the club’s UEFA squad list.
All that led to speculation that if Goldson was still isolating, Calvin Bassey may have to be deployed as a makeshift centre-back against a high-quality opponent.
However, Goldson’s reported availability means that he’s set to resume a recognised partnership with Leon Balogun.
Given Balogun’s struggles in important recent European ties including last season’s Europa League Last 16 defeat to Slavia Prague and this season’s Champions League qualifying exit to Malmo, it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s far from a disaster.
The hosts should come into the fixture full of confidence on the back of two consecutive wins and similarly high-profile European sides to Lyon like Porto and Feyenoord have found the Ibrox atmosphere tough to handle in recent seasons.
In other news, a Rangers star has received official recognition after a stunning display that led to major praise.