...but Gio wants Roofe fit for Seville

GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST insists Rangers will push striker Kemar Roofe as hard as they can to ensure he is fit for the Europa League final. The Jamaican internationalist has not featured for Van Bronckhorst’s side since the Scottish Cup win over Celtic and missed both legs of the semifinal triumph against RB Leipzig.

Rangers will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the showpiece finale a week on Wednesday as they set their sights on European silverware in Seville.

And Van Bronckhorst knows he must manage the squad through the fixtures with Ross County and Hearts to ensure his side are in peak condition for their shot at glory.

Van Bronckhorst said: “The remaining two games in the league, they are all in purpose to get us as fit as possible as a group for the cup finals. I am very pleased today we could rest some players and give chances to the academy players in the end. Also Leon [King] started.

“He [Roofe] is going to work hard to make it. Of course he didn’t make last Thursday’s game. That means he’s got two weeks to prepare more.

“All he wants is to be available for those games so he will push himself. My medical staff will do everything possible to get him fit.”

Rangers returned to league action on the back of their emotional win on Thursday night by overcoming Dundee United at Ibrox. A James Tavernier penalty and strike from Amad Diallo clinched a comfortable victory. But while some players were rested, Tavernier and Connor Goldson were not.

Van Bronckhorst said: “They are two players who have played almost every game so far. They are important players. A lot of players don’t want to rest and want to keep going. That’s why you have to make sure you keep them happy as well at times.”