Rangers handed major boost ahead of Borussia Dortmund showdown

Scottish heavyweights Rangers have seen the club’s hopes of causing an upset in their upcoming Europa League showdown with Borussia Dortmund dealt a considerable boost on Thursday afternoon.

The boost in question comes in the form of the latest team news stemming from the Dortmund camp.

As per a host of reliable sources, it is viewed as a near certainty that Erling Haaland is set to play no part at Signal Iduna Park this evening.

Norwegian sensation Haaland returned to first-team training this week on the back of a spell on the sidelines with injury, but is not expected to feature in any capacity versus Rangers.

This comes with those in a position of power at BVB keen to avoid any potential injury relapse, amid ongoing efforts to hunt down Bayern Munich at the summit of the Bundesliga.

❌ Erling Haaland will not play against Rangers in the Europa League tonight.
[via @Sky_Jesco] pic.twitter.com/bBNc6jIqoi
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 17, 2022

Etihad bound?

Interestingly, word of Haaland’s impending absence on Thursday comes fresh on the back of a considerable update on the

Haaland, of course, is widely expected to depart Dortmund this summer, when a cut-price release clause in his contract is set to come into play.

And, as per a report from Football Insider, over the course of the last couple of weeks, one of the continent’s heavyweights have positioned themselves as clear frontrunners to land the prolific young hitman.

The outfit in question? Manchester City.

Citing inside information, FI suggest that Pep Guardiola, a keen admirer of Haaland’s talents, will be backed in any requested pursuit of the Dortmund standout come the summer.

Not only that, but Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, who lined out on the blue half of Manchester during his own playing days, is understood to be pushing his son towards a move to the Etihad.