Europa League: Balogun returns from suspension, Olayinka to undergo fitness test

Leon Balogun will make his return from suspension when Rangers host Slavia Prague in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie which takes place at the Ibrox Stadium on Thursday, BSNSPorts.com.ng reports. Balogun was suspended for Rangers against Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa round of 16 fixture which was played at the Sinobo Stadium last week Thursday, a game that ended 1-1. The centre-back missed the encounter after picking up his third yellow card in this season’s competition when Rangers bashed Royal Antwerp 5-2 at their Ibrox home ground back on February 25. As a result, the central defender who recently won the first league title of his football career when Rangers won the Scottish Premiership crown automatically missed last week Thursday’s tie. The 32-year-old Nigerian international has so far made seven Europa appearances for Rangers this season with three clean-sheets in his record, winning six and drawing on one other occasion. Fellow Nigerian compatriot, Joe Aribo also on Sunday, 7th of March won the first ever league title of his football career when Rangers thrashed visitors, St. Mirren 3-0 at the Ibrox Stadium. Aribo has six goals and four assists in 25 Scottish league games for the Gers during the 2020/21 season and across all competitions, the midfielder has hit the net seven times in 34 matches. A third Nigerian, Peter Olayinka of Slavia might not get to feature as the Czech Republic club are awaiting a late fitness test on the winger after he picked up an injury in last week’s tie. The Super Eagles attacking sensation would have been looking to score his third Europa goal in nine games versus Rangers. He has ten goals and five assists in 30 overall matches this season.