Former Brighton defender 'sad' to miss out on Erling Haaland duel as Dortmund striker injured ahead of Rangers clash

Reports claim that the 21-year-old Norway international, who missed the Gers 4-2 win in the first leg of the Europa League knockout round play-off in Germany last week, remains out with an abductor problem.

Balogun, available again after recovering from a knock, was asked if the omission of Haaland, who has scored 28 goals for club and country this season, was a bonus for the Scottish champions and said: “Yes and no.

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“In these competitions you want to compete against the best and he is one of the best at the moment.

“So from that perspective it is a sad thing.

“But if you look at what he means to Dortmund then surely it is a disadvantage to them, he is going to weaken them up front a little bit but then again they have enough to compensate, not at the same level probably – so mixed feelings.

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“But definitely not going to complain about it.”

Balogun, 33, was at Albion for two seasons and memorably scored against old rivals Crystal Palace just moments after coming on as a substitute at the Amex Stadium.

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