MX23RW : Friday, December 13 11:05:43| >> :120:37190:37190:
[monks data]
Attendance: 18,113
Braga
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 26, 2020 at 5pm UK
 
Rangers logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-0)
Kent (61')

Steven Gerrard backs Florian Kamberi to make his mark against Braga

Steven Gerrard backs Florian Kamberi to make his mark against Braga
© Reuters
Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe are not available for Rangers' Europa League second-leg clash.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has no doubts that Florian Kamberi can step up to the plate in Portugal following his inspirational display in Perth.

The on-loan Hibernian forward grabbed his first Rangers goal in style, volleying home from 18 yards less than five minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute against St Johnstone.

The Swiss-born Albania international then set up Joe Aribo to score after turning Jason Kerr with a brilliant dummy.

Kamberi's heroics could not get Rangers the win they needed to avoid losing further ground in the Ladbrokes Premiership title race as Saints hit back for a 2-2 draw.

But they have given Gerrard some comfort as he heads into Wednesday's Europa League second leg against Braga without the suspended Alfredo Morelos and injured Jermain Defoe.

Rangers hold a 3-2 lead and Kamberi will have his work cut out against the classy Portuguese side.

But Gerrard believes he can make his mark following his Perth display on Sunday.

"On the evidence of that, yeah, for sure," Gerrard said. "It will be a different type of game, he is going to have to be selfless and do some real, dirty, strong running and sacrifice himself for the team at times, of course he will.

"But you can see that if he gets an opportunity then he knows where the back of the net is. Which, for us, is a real big positive.

"I wanted to start him on Sunday but obviously the risk of him playing a full game and not being fresh on Wednesday was one that I was juggling about with.

"But when we went 1-0 down I needed to twist and I did that.

"I thought he was absolutely outstanding. On that performance he plays, for sure.

"You can't ignore that, that was some impact. He got man of the match and everyone should have been talking about Flo Kamberi.

"They will talk about Rangers as a defensive unit and that is my responsibility that I need to solve."

ID:390786: cacheID:390786:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3552:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister pictured in November 2016
Read Next:
Gary McAllister hails Rangers squad for win over Braga
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio651016
2Athletic Bilbao651016
3Anderlecht642014
4Lyon641113
5Frankfurt641113
6Galatasaray633012
7Man Utd633012
8Rangers632111
9Spurs632111
10FCSB632111
11Real Sociedad631210
12Ajax631210
13Bodo/Glimt631210
14Roma62319
15Olympiacos62319
16Ferencvaros63039
17Plzen62319
18AZ62228
19Fenerbahce62228
20Porto62228
21Union SG62228
22Braga62137
23Elfsborg62137
24PAOK62137
25Midtjylland62137
26M. Tel Aviv62046
27Hoffenheim61326
28Besiktas62046
29Slavia Prague61144
30FC Twente60424
31Malmo61144
32Ludogorets60333
33Qarabag61053
34RFS60242
35Nice60242
36Dynamo Kiev60060


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!