Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

Giovanni van Bronckhorst provides Rangers fitness update on Jon McLaughlin and James Tavernier on eve of Napoli tie

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst

GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST insists he has 'every faith' in Allan McGregor as he prepares to deputise for the injured Jon McLaughlin against Napoli.

The Ibrox boss confirmed on Tuesday evening that McLaughlin will not be fit for the Group A encounter after picking up a knock in the defeat to Ajax last week.

McGregor is now poised to return between the sticks as Rangers aim to kick-start their campaign with a much-needed performance and result against the Serie A giants.

The 40-year-old made his only appearance of the campaign against Queen of the South last month and will now be pitched into a potentially defining Champions League clash.

Van Bronckhorst said: "Jon is not available, he picked up an injury in the last game so we will not be involved. The others are fit to go apart from the ones already injured.

"Of course it is different for Allan, that he is not starting the games from the beginning so that is different for him.

"He is still the same still the same in training, he is still the same person and I have every faith in him when he play because of the experience he has and he will be fine.

"I have no doubt in my mind to have any doubts that he will perform."

Boss Van Bronckhorst was also sweating on the fitness of James Tavernier after he was forced off at half-time in Amsterdam with a long-standing injury issue.

But the captain is now in line to lead the team out once again as group stage football returns to Ibrox for the first time in 12 years.

Van Bronckhorst said: "Well he’s definitely better than last week because all the games we played in a row did not help his physique.

"The one week break for Tav is really welcome because it meant he could recover more days than normally. He is an important player.

"You can see his quality he brings to the team so it’s all there to see. For him in the game he will be much better physically than he played against Ajax."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.