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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

Rangers 'wee problem' that's psychological not physical as pundit predicts Celtic pep talk for Aribo, Bassey and Balogun

Rangers trio Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey could be impacted by Nigeria's World Cup exit ahead of the clash with Celtic.

Pundit Alan Rough reckons the exit at the hands of Ghana could have a lasting impact with the crucial Premiership clash around the corner.

The Ibrox trio saw their dreams of leading the Super Eagles to Qatar 2022 end as they were dumped out of the African play-offs by their rivals on aggregate.

Following the 1-1 draw in the Nigerian capital of Abuja fans took to the field in chaotic scenes as the dugout and stands were trashed.

Aribo, Balogun, Bassey and their Nigerian teammates were forced to rush back to the dressing room and lock themselves inside amid the carnage.

Rough expects Gio van Bronckhorst will have to take the players aside and assess their mindset ahead of the showdown at Ibrox.

He told PLZ: "All week we have been talking about injuries, and is he going to be fit or is he going to be fit.

"I think Van Bronckhorst could have a wee problem with the three Nigerian boys coming back, who are now not going to the World Cup.

"Psychologically, he will maybe have to pull them aside and say 'it's not happened and we have a big game coming up at the weekend'.

"But I'm sure they are big enough and bold enough to get that out of their system."

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