Europa League final news: Rangers handed massive lift as striker issues take turn for the better

Kemar Roofe has handed Rangers a potentially huge lift ahead of Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt after joining the squad on their flight to Seville.

The former Leeds United and Anderlecht striker has not played since helping the Ibrox outfit beat Old Firm rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on April 17.

Roofe suffered a knee injury in that game and Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst admitted last week that it would be a “close call” for the forward when asked about his fitness prospects for the showpiece clash.

But the 29-year-old boarded the team flight from Glasgow Airport on Monday. And he also posted photographs on social media of himself on the plane.

Roofe has scored 16 goals this season in 33 appearances in all competitions this season. He also hit the extra-time goal that took Gers past Braga in the quarter-finals.

Rangers have been forced to tinker with their central striker position in recent outings, with top goalscorer Alfredo Morelos out for the season with a thigh injury. Midfielder Joe Aribo and wide attacker Fashion Sakala have both played down the middle since Roofe’s injury.

Cedric Itten even started up front in the weekend win over Hearts. That is despite the Switzerland interntional not starting a game since a 3-3 draw with Ross County on January 29. He had also barely featured off the bench.

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