Under-fire Gio van Bronckhorst is hoping Leon King can give Rangers a much-needed Champions League boost for Napoli.
The Gers boss is feeling the heat after spilling Premiership points in an abject display against Livingston on Saturday. He was also left in a sweat with King being forced to go off at half-time after suffering from a sickness bug and winger Rabbi Matondo lasting barely half an hour from the bench after taking a back knock.
Matondo will be assessed today ahead of the trip to Naples but the Dutchman is more hopeful King will be declared fit as the Light Blues are already struggling for defensive cover with Connor Goldson, John Souttar and Filip Helander out long term. Skipper James Tavernier eased injury fears at the weekend by insisting he’s not carrying a niggling injury while midfielder John Lundstram is also fit to continue playing amid concerns he was managing a problem.
Van Bronckhorst’ s side need all the reinforcements they can get as they look to keep their slim hopes of clinching third spot in the group and a Europa League spot for after the New Year. The manager is also in desperate need of a morale-boosting performance on the back of another lacklustre display at the weekend that saw fans booing the side at half-time and the final whistle in the 1-1 Livi stalemate.
Van Bronckhorst is optimistic over King though and said: “He had to come off because he was feeling a little bit sick and nauseous. So that was why we brought James in. Rabbi fell on his back so he couldn’t move so that’s why we took him off as well.”
Van Bronckhorst admitted his side need to raise their game if they are to win over large sections of the support who have lost patience in recent weeks on the back of embarrassing European thumpings and turgid displays on the home front. The Gers boss said: “It’s a big game against a really good opponent, at the moment one of the best teams in Europe. They are the leaders in Serie A and strong but it’s also a big opportunity for us in this big game on Wednesday. We need to get something out of the game to have a slight chance of going further in Europe.
“But it’s going to be difficult. First of all my focus is to pick the right team and start in the right manner. We have to do everything we can to get a good result.”
Meanwhile, Gers are reportedly running the rule over Blackpool striker Jerry Yates The 25-year-old netted a derby double on Saturday as the Seasiders ran out 4-2 winners over local rivals Preston, taking his tally for the season to eight goals.
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