During a hectic night of Europa League action, a major boost for Rangers ahead of their final group game appeared to go largely unnoticed.
It was a frantic second half in Rotterdam with goals from Alfredo Morelos pulling the Gers level and then putting them into the lead, only for Luis Sinisterra to restore parity.
At the same time, Porto were staging a comeback against Young Boys in Switzerland which had everyone fretting over the possible permutations.
While all this was going on, three Rangers stars were walking a suspension tightrope.
A booking for Filip Helander, Borna Barisic or Alfredo Morelos, would have ruled them out of the final game against Young Boys.
Thankfully, though, especially now that we know the importance of that clash, they all emerged caution-free.
It’s a vital plus ahead of a game in which the result will likely determine the club’s European fate for the 2019/20 season.
The three players in question are all crucial parts of Steven Gerrard’s strongest XI and have each started all five European group matches.
They have all had their outstanding displays, with Helander superb away against Porto, Barisic magnificent at home to Feyenoord and Morelos scoring at least once in each of his last four outings [Transfermarkt].
Being without any one of them for the final group match would have been a blow and although – should Rangers progress – they will continue to walk a tightrope until the quarter-final stages, Steven Gerrard will be delighted to still have three key men at his disposal.
