Rangers will host Ludogorets Razgrad in their final home game of the Europa League group stage on Thursday, January 22, with kickoff scheduled for 8pm at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow. This match holds significant importance for Ludogorets, as they are currently vying for a better position in the competition. Rangers, on the other hand, have struggled in their group, accumulating only one point from their six previous matches.
Despite their disappointing run in Europe, a victory could boost Rangers’ momentum heading into their upcoming Premiership fixture against Dundee, as they’ve been in commendable form under manager Danny Rohl, winning their last six matches. The Light Blues are hoping to conclude their home campaign with a win, even though their performance in the Europa League has been underwhelming, characterized by a string of poor results.
Ludogorets comes into this match in a precarious situation, currently sitting third in the Bulgarian league and lacking match fitness, having not played since December. They have strong ambitions for playoff qualification but will have to overcome their struggles in Europe, where they’ve conceded 14 goals in their six group-stage matches.
Key player to watch for Ludogorets is defender Dinis Almeida, who has a history of receiving yellow cards and could be pivotal in their defensive line. Rangers will miss some of their new signings as they are not eligible for this matchup, but they are expected to field a robust lineup.
As the teams prepare for their encounter, Rangers’ solid home performance should provide them with a psychological edge, though both teams will need to focus on defensive strategies to minimize errors and capitalize on scoring opportunities. It’s an exciting buildup for the match, as both teams aim to make the most of this fixture before transitioning into their respective league commitments.