Lightining Kian strike twice for Red Imps
LINCOLN RED IMPS defender Kian Ronan insists lightning can strike twice as the minnows from Gibraltar prepare to take on Rangers.
Former Ipswich trainee Ronan was not at the club in 2016 when a Lee Casciaro strike secured a memorable Champions League qualifying victory in Brendan Rodgers’ dugout debut for Celtic.
However, the Gibraltar international admits that result will be on the players’ minds when Steven Gerrard’s side visit the British Overseas Territory for Thursday’s Europa League second qualifying round clash.
Ronan said: “Everyone was buzzing when the draw was made and we discovered we got Rangers.
“The boys managed to beat Celtic back in 2016 and the feeling is that if we’ve done it once, we can do it again.
“There’s a lot of interest in Gibraltar and even though there won’t be any fans there, we know we’ll have everyone’s backing.”
Lincoln are short of match fitness with their domestic season not yet up and running.
Their only two matches since March were their opening Europa League wins over FC Prishtina and Titus Petange.
However, Ronan was one of eight Lincoln players who featured in Gibraltar’s 1-0 Nations League win over San Marino on September 5 and is confident the team will not be ring rusty against the Ibrox outfit.
He said: “Even though Rangers have been back for a while we have been in pre-season for weeks.
“We’ve had the two European games and a lot of us played against San Marino as well. There’s about seven or eight of us who train full-time.”
IT’S a number which has attached itself to both sides of the Glasgow divide as the race to make or break a historic run hits top gear.
Ten may be the magic figure for Celtic.
But in the bid to stop their arch rivals hitting that recordbreaking sequence of titles, Rangers’ hunt for a special No.10 could be vital.
That creative spark to unlock stubborn defences is held by many as the final piece of the jigsaw for Steven Gerrard’s side.
Preston North End star Daniel Johnson has been identified as the top target to do just that.
And while the English Championship club won’t be willing to let their star man leave on the cheap, one former team-mate insists Rangers would be securing a game changer in the battle for the title if they can persuade the Deepdale club to do business.
Former Motherwell ace Chris Humphrey spent a season with Johnson at Preston five years ago.
And he reckons his fellow Jamaican would be a surefire success at Ibrox at home and on the continent.
Humphrey said: “I would put DJ up there as one of the best No.10s or attacking midfielders I have played with – and I’ve played with some really good players.
“He is unbelievable and in that league he would be unreal. He’d be good for Rangers in Europe as well.
“He is excellent technically, scores goals and has pace. He drives forward with the ball and can play a pass. “His all-round game is phenomenal. “I would say he’s probably got the best left foot of any player I’ve played with.
“Above al l else DJ loves his football and is a very good professional. “If a deal went through then he woul d l o v e the challenge of the Old Firm. He would thrive in that atmosphere when the fans are allowed back in.
“He can also play in the centre of midfield because he has the fitness. And if Daniel gives the ball away I’m wondering, ‘ What’s
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