Rangers Coach Gerrard Sweating On Fitness Of Key Nigerian Midfielder Ahead Of Europa League Tie

Published: September 17, 2018

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is sweating on the fitness of Nigerian midfielder Ovie Ejaria ahead of his side's trip to Spain, where they face La Liga club Villarreal in their opening match of the Europa League on Thursday.

Ejaria was not involved on Saturday as Rangers thrashed Dundee in the Scottish Premiership after picking up a training ground injury but Gerrard is confident that the player will recover in time even though the game is three days away.

The Liverpool loanee helped The Light Blues reach the group stage of the Europa League, playing all their eight matches in the qualifying rounds and scored a crucial opening goal against Ufa in the playoffs.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening, Gerrard said : '' It's a small niggle he got yesterday in training, he felt a bit of hip flexing.

''It's days, he should be available for Thursday, worst case for the weekend.''

Apart from Ejaria, two other Nigerian players, strikers Sadiq Umar and Adedapo Awokoya-Mebude, have been registered by Rangers for the group stage of the Europa League.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : liverpoolfc.com