All the Rangers signs point to shock Gio van Bronckhorst decision for RB Leipzig – Keith Jackson

There would probably be a gag in there somewhere if it wasn’t just so serious.

After all, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been operating with a false No.9 in his squad ever since Amad Diallo took Jermain Defoe’s old shirt.

But, that irony aside, it’s hard to find much humour in the situation confronting the Dutchman and his horribly depleted squad as Rangers attempt to muster enough for another miraculous Europa League Thursday.

What a rotten time for luck to run out on them along with the only two strikers with the skill set to lead van Bronckhorst’s line as a centre forward.

To lose Alfredo Morelos to injury was a hammer blow going into the final stretches of a remarkable campaign. But for Kemar Roofe to find himself back on the treatment table as well?

No, that feels like one casualty too many for a side which must now attempt to survive a visit to the lions’ den in Leipzig before negotiating a safe passage in and out of Parkhead on Sunday and then tackling the Germans again in next week’s second leg.

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In other words, Van Bronckhorst is about to embark on three gun fights armed with not much more than a pea shooter. All of which means the Rangers manager is going to have to get creative with