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Lincoln v Rangers: Match Preview

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Lincoln take on Rangers this afternoon in the first of two Europa League Second Qualifying Round matches involving Gibraltarian sides today.

Photo © Neil Wilson/Lincoln

Lincoln, who earned this tie by beating Union Titus Petange 2-0 in the last round, come up against a Rangers side going very well in the Scottish Premiership; Steven Gerrard’s side have won six of their seven games so far, without conceding a single goal, and are currently top of the league.

Lincoln, who famously beat Celtic at the Victoria Stadium in 2016, will be hoping to complete an ‘Old Firm Double’ by beating Rangers, and at the press conference yesterday, Lee Casciaro, who scored the winner that night, spoke about his sides chances and noted that unlike against then Brendan Rodgers side, this is a one-legged tie which adds a different dimension to the match.

Meanwhile, Gerrard, whose Rangers side of course played here last year against St Joseph’s, stated that he didn’t believe the artificial surface would pose any problem to his side – some teams in Scotland such as Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Livingston have used them in the Scottish top flight.

Squad News:

Lincoln are believed to have no new injury concerns ahead of the game, with Joseph Chipolina remaining out from his injury last year. Therefore, it will be expected that they pick a similar team to that which beat Union Titus Petange, and were set to face Prishtina in the round before that. Tjay De Barr has joined the team, but didn’t feature for the national side against San Marino, therefore is still short on match fitness since his injury in November, and may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

For Rangers, the good news is that striker Alfredo Morelos is available, despite suffering a knock on the weekend against Dundee United. Meanwhile, former Liverpool winger Ryan Kent is expected to be involved and will be a key threat, having scored four in seven so far this term. They will be missing a few players though, including Ryan Jack and Joe Aribo – the pair scored across both legs of the tie vs Saints last summer.

Betting:

It will come as no surprise to anyone that Rangers, who reached the Last 16 of this tournament last season, are big favourites to win today – the best you can get on them winning is 1/12, while Lincoln are as big as 60/1 in places to recreate the shock win vs Celtic against the other member of the Old Firm.

Ryan Kent, who is in good goalscoring form, is 6/5 to notch a goal today, while for Lincoln, Lee Casciaro is 10/1. Graeme Torrilla, who scored the winner for Gib vs San Marino, is 40/1 to repeat his goalscoring touch for his club side anytime.

FG’s Predicted Lineups:

Lincoln XI – Soler; Wiseman, Lopes, R. Chipolina, Sergeant, Britto; Hernandez, Torrilla, Yahaya, L. Casciaro; Kike

Rangers XI – McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Arfield; Davis, Kamara; Kent, Hagi, Roofe, Morelos

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Gibraltar Government issue press release after Lincoln game cancelled again

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The Gibraltar Government have this evening issued a press release, noting the statement made by FC Prishtina after the cancellation of their game vs Lincoln today.

Photo (C) Rough & Ready

Prishtina, after the game had been called off, stated on their social media profiles that “By the decision of the local authorities of Gibraltar, the match will eventually not take place.” The following, below, is the press release from the Gibraltar Government:

HM Government of Gibraltar notes the statement from FC Prishtina
The internationally accepted rules on isolation for those who have tested positive for COVID-19, and those who have been in close contact with them, are clear. In the circumstances, the Gibraltar authorities informed UEFA that our rules, in keeping with those same internationally-accepted rules, required that the team should be in self-isolation. For that reason, UEFA held that the match could not go ahead in an official decision.
It would not have been responsible, or in keeping with the internationally-accepted rules on isolation for those who have tested positive (or those who have been in close contact with them), for the Gibraltar authorities to have permitted those members of the FC Prishtina team who have not tested positive to be in contact with others today. Safety is paramount.
All matters relating to the match are the responsibility of UEFA.
Arrangements are now being made to allow the FC Prishtina to return home as soon as possible given thattheir welfare is also of concern. Gibraltar authorities have kept communication channels open with all parties throughout the course of the afternoon.
As was the case on Tuesday the Contact Tracing Bureau and Civil Contingences are now collating information to determine the extent of local contact in relation to contact tracing.

The Gibraltar Government statement can also be found on their site.

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Kike at the double as Europa win Pepe Reyes Cup

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A brace from Kike saw Europa FC win 2-0 in the Pepe Reyes Cup and gain early bragging rights over their domestic rivals Lincoln in the 2016/17 season curtain-raiser.

Photo Credit: C Correa Photography

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