'Red flag with a heart issue' - Gerrard reveals worrying news about Nigeria underage international

Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard revealed very worrying news about the health condition of Nigeria underage international Nnamdi Ofoborh following his side's 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

The former Liverpool captain has been trying to give minutes to most of the Rangers players since the start of pre-season preparations but fans have not yet seen Ofoborh in action though the central midfielder was spotted on the first day of pre-season training.

The 21-year-old joined Rangers as a free agent this month, signing a four-year deal, after running down his contract at Championship club Bournemouth.

Gerrard has confirmed that Ofoborh was ruled out of Rangers' pre-season fixtures against Partick Thistle, Tranmere Rovers and Arsenal due to heart issues and the ex-Flying Eagles star will see a specialist in the coming weeks after a medical test showed an abnormality with his heart.

Speaking to Rangers TV post-match, Gerrard explained : "I don't think you'll see him in the short term either. Unfortunately, something has flagged up on his ECG which is his heart test.

"We've got top medical people at the club and we check all the players thoroughly when they arrive and unfortunately there's been a bit of a red flag with a heart issue.

"He's going to see some specialists in the coming weeks and we need to do more checks and tests before we move forward which is disappointing and frustrating."

Gerrard added : "The important thing is the players health which we'll focus on first and foremost. Of course it's disappointing for the player but I spoke to him yesterday and told him to keep smiling and be patient and we'll do everything we can to support him and get him in front of the right people with the right support and hopefully he'll be back before not too long."

Ofoborh was a member of the Nigeria U20 squad to the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup, playing three of the four matches contested by the national team during the tournament in Poland.

Igho Kingsley