12 players could miss Rangers v Tottenham Hotspur showdown in Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur will return to action in the Europa League this Thursday night, facing Rangers at Ibrox in Glasgow. This match carries additional significance for Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, who is returning to Glasgow for the first time since leaving Celtic, where he enjoyed a successful two-year spell.

During his tenure at Celtic, Postecoglou won five domestic trophies, including two Scottish Premiership titles, before making the move to North London. Now leading Tottenham, the Australian manager finds himself under pressure after a difficult run of results.

Tottenham’s most recent setback came in a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Chelsea, extending their winless streak to four games. Their last victory, a hard-fought result against Manchester City, came on November 23. This poor form has cast a shadow over Postecoglou’s impressive start to life in North London and left Spurs searching for answers as they prepare for another challenging European fixture.

In their previous Europa League outing, Tottenham played out a 2-2 draw against AS Roma. The match ended in disappointment for Spurs, as former Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels scored a 91st-minute equalizer for the Serie A side.

Despite their struggles, Tottenham has managed to secure three wins from their opening five games in the competition, placing them ninth in the Europa League table. They are just one spot behind Rangers, who have a slightly superior goal difference. The stakes are high for both sides as they vie for a crucial win to improve their standings in the competition.

Injuries remain a significant concern for Tottenham as they prepare for this crucial clash. Cristian Romero, who returned to the starting lineup against Chelsea, lasted only 14 minutes before being forced off with a quad issue.

The Argentine defender had just recovered from a toe injury, but this latest setback means he could face more time on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven also experienced issues during the Chelsea match.

Johnson was substituted due to illness, while Van de Ven, a surprise inclusion in the starting lineup, felt tightness but avoided a more serious injury.

Tottenham’s defensive worries are compounded by Ben Davies’ ongoing recovery from a hamstring problem sustained against Bournemouth last week. The Welsh defender is not expected to feature against Rangers, and a full timeline for his return remains uncertain.

Other players unavailable for the trip to Glasgow include goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, forward Richarlison, Mikey Moore, and Wilson Odobert, all of whom continue their rehabilitation from various injuries. These absences leave Spurs with a depleted squad and limited options as they seek to secure a positive result at Ibrox.

Rangers, on the other hand, have their own injury challenges, although their list is not as extensive as Tottenham’s. Defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo remains sidelined and is not expected to return for several months.

However, there is more optimistic news regarding Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo, who have returned to training and are in contention to feature against Spurs. Tom Lawrence is also on the road to recovery, but he is currently training individually and is unlikely to be rushed back for this fixture.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement provided an update on his squad last week, confirming that Kasanwirjo’s absence will extend for the foreseeable future while expressing hope that both Cortes and Matondo could make their returns against Tottenham.

With Rangers sitting just above Spurs in the Europa League standings, they will be eager to capitalize on their home advantage and take all three points against a Tottenham side struggling for form and fitness.

For Postecoglou and his players, this match represents an opportunity to regain confidence and momentum. A positive result in Glasgow could help Tottenham steady the ship and boost morale amid their ongoing injury crisis.

However, the challenge of facing a determined Rangers side at Ibrox cannot be underestimated. With both teams in need of points to improve their positions in the Europa League, Thursday’s encounter promises to be a fiercely contested affair.

The outcome of this match will likely hinge on which side can better manage their injury challenges and adapt their tactics to the available personnel. For Tottenham, the absence of key defensive figures such as Romero and Davies places additional pressure on the remaining players to step up and deliver a solid performance. Similarly, Rangers will look to capitalize on their home support and exploit any weaknesses in the Spurs lineup.

As Tottenham prepare to take the field at Ibrox, Postecoglou’s return to Glasgow adds an extra layer of intrigue to the occasion. While his focus will be firmly on the task at hand, the manager will undoubtedly reflect on his successful spell at Celtic and the warm reception he received during his time in Scotland.

However, sentimentality will have no place in Thursday’s match, as both teams battle for vital points in their Europa League campaigns.

For Tottenham, this match is not only a test of their European ambitions but also a chance to prove they can overcome adversity and emerge stronger from a difficult period.

A victory at Ibrox could serve as a turning point in their season, providing the platform they need to climb the Premier League table and advance further in Europe. However, achieving that result will require resilience, determination, and a collective effort from every player in the squad.