Joe Aribo named in difficult Europa clash against Leverkusen

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo heads Rangers squad that will be facing baptism of fire as they attempt to turn the table against Leverkusen in the Europa return leg on Thursday.

The former Charlton Athletic ace and his teammates will have their hands full after losing the first 3-1 at home. While Steven
Gerard tutored Rangers will be seeking a miracle homers Leverkusen have been told to avoid leaving anything to chance but file out on a consolidation mission.

Nigeria international and Rangers’ new arrival Leo Balogun is not eligible to play the match with teammate George Edmundson expected to take his place.

Rangers have gone five matches unbeaten going into Thursday encounter but some say it will be herculean task for them to overturn the 3-1 defeat in Germany.

Though the odds favour Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz is not ready to give Rangers a breathing place as he eyes a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Bosz has vowed to hand his goal scoring Kai Havertz a starting shirt.

It was the Germany international’s penalty his third goal in as many Europa League games this campaign which opened the scoring at Ibrox, with further strikes coming from Charles Aranguiz and Leon Bailey.Kai Havertz is being is reported to be close to a £70million switch to Stamford Bridge but Bosz insists he is not likely to be thinking about that with Europa clash and possibility of progressing in the championship on the table

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“A title is up for grabs and we’re hungry for it,” said Captain Lars Bender, who should feature with his twin brother Sven Bender in a back four. In one change from the side which started the DFB Cup final, Havertz is expected to drop back into a support role having deputised as striker for the injured Kevin Volland, who should lead the line in Leverkusen.