By Morakinyo Abodunrin with agency reports
Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has been tipped as one of the probable as Rangers host Malmo in a decisive second leg of their Qualifying Round tie at home today.
The Swedish side take a 2-1 lead to Ibrox Stadium and Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is upbeat that his side complete with the influential Nigerian Aribo can grind a favourable result. Rangers have lost two in a row after the Swedes opened up a 2-1 lead in the Champions League qualifying tie before Dundee United inflicted Rangers’ first league defeat in 17 months.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s Malmo warmed up for the return leg at Ibrox with a 0-0 draw with Halmstads.
“We only need one performance to light the fire again,” said Gerrard.
“We’re two games in in terms of the league and one game in in terms of Europe. It’s still very early days. We won’t use any excuses. The last two performances haven’t been to the level that we’ve set.
“Our Ibrox form in terms of European games has been pretty strong. I expect a good performance and we can flip the mood of the previous seven days with a real strong performance and the result that we want. We can change it pretty quickly.”
Meanwhile, The Scotsman has picked Aribo as one of the lads to give Rangers the edge against Malmo with the leading Glasgow-based tabloid saying :“Dropping him (Aribo) back should give the Rangers midfield a bit more balance and also add further guile in the side.”
Rangers are seeking to enter the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since 2010 but they’ll need to overcome a 2-1 first-leg deficit to Swedish champions Malmo.
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