Rangers missed out on signing Rodrigo Riquelme and the Atletico Madrid talent could now face Celtic tonight.
European action is taking centre stage this week with Rangers having to wait a little longer to get into action.
Rangers take on Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday night with Champions League fixtures taking place tonight.
There is a big game in Glasgow tonight as Atletico Madrid travel to face Celtic – armed with a player Steven Gerrard wanted to sign for Rangers.
Rodrigo Riquelme to Rangers mentioned in Spanish media
Atletico look likely to call upon attacking midfielder Rodrigo Riquelme, either from the start or off the bench.
The 23-year-old has made six La Liga appearances this season and came off the bench in earlier Champions League games against Lazio and Feyenoord.
Riquelme is finally breaking through with Atletico having spent time on loan at Bournemouth, Mirandes and Girona.
It all could have been very different for Riquelme though as Gerrard pushed to bring him to Ibrox.
Spanish newspaper Marca have discussed that attempt today, highlighting that Riquelme is no stranger to Glasgow.
Riquelme dazzled in a UEFA Youth League game against Rangers back in 2020 and sparked major Ibrox interest.
Marca now claim that Gerrard endorsed a move to sign Riquelme but just couldn’t get a deal done.
Riquelme instead went to Bournemouth, where he failed to really make a big impact, as Marca claim the ‘inferiority’ of Scottish football compared to the English game hurt Rangers.
Rangers moved on to other targets and never seemed to revisit the Riquelme interest after his Bournemouth struggles.
Now finally starting to make good on his potential, Riquelme will be hoping to make a big impact as he prepares to play in Glasgow once again.
Rangers fans didn’t get to cheer on Riquelme as a player in the Gerrard era, but will certainly be in his corner tonight as Atletico seek three points in Glasgow.
