Servette to be without midfield star for Rangers clash over visa issues

Rangers’ Champions League qualifier opponents Servette will be denied the services of midfielder Gael Ondoua for Wednesday night’s Ibrox clash.

The Swiss club say the Cameroon international, who is a Russian citizen, has not been granted a visa by UK authorities.

Servette stand between Michael Beale’s men and a play-off clash against PSV Eindhoven or Sturm Graz, with the Dutch side favourites after recording a 4-1 first-leg win over the Austrians.

They travel to Glasgow in the middle of an injury-crisis, with seven players missing through suspension or injury, after knocking Belgian side Genk out in the last round.

In a statement released on their official website Servette hit out at Ondoua’s situation, saying he had been “deprived” the opportunity to travel.

It said: “His visa has not yet been issued by the British authorities, the player is absent from the trip to Glasgow.

“The significant efforts made for more than two weeks by the club and their player, also in collaboration with the Scottish Football Association, were not enough. The club deplore this situation and support their player and his team, which will have to deal without a major player in their workforce for non-sporting reasons.”

The 27-year-old midfielder, who grew up Moscow, made headlines last year after showing support for Russia amid the invasion of Ukraine at the World Cup in Qatar.

He had the Russian flag embroidered onto his boots for Cameroon’s group games against Switzerland and Serbia.