RANGERS have suffered a significant Champions League blow after Ryan Kent was ruled out of their clash with Union Saint-Gilloise.
The winger was not part of the squad that travelled to Belgium on Monday afternoon and he will now watch on from home as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side attempt to secure a first leg lead in Leuven.
Van Bronckhorst confirmed earlier in the day that Rabbi Matondo had recovered from the knock that kept him out of the win over Livingston on Saturday as Rangers got their Premiership title challenge off and running thanks to goals from Scott Arfield and James Tavernier.
Defender Ridvan Yilmaz was also part of the group that jetted out from Glasgow airport after he joined the Light Blues squad on Sunday following his move from Turkish giants Besiktas.
But there was no sight of Kent - who picked up an ankle knock in the closing stages at the Tony Macaroni Arena - as Rangers got their first look at the Den Dreef pitch on Monday evening and the Englishman will not play any part in proceedings as Rangers return to European action for the first time since their Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt last term.
The loss of Kent is a real blow to Van Bronckhorst on the eve of Rangers’ Champions League return as they seek to join Old Firm rivals Celtic in the group stages this season and secure a £40million cash windfall.
His injury is not thought to be serious.
