Leeds United’s Conor Shaughnessy could face Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox tonight.
Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy has a big game for his loan club tonight.
The Irish centre-back, who joined Hearts on loan from Leeds in January, is expected to remain in the first XI when Craig Levein’s side visit Rangers’ famous stadium Ibrox.
Rangers’ ground has a capacity of 50,817 and Shaughnessy has told The Edinburgh Evening News that he hasn’t played in an arena of that size in the past.
He said: “I haven’t played in a stadium that size before.
“Obviously it’s a big game but I played in big games with Leeds down south. I love playing in front of big crowds so I can’t wait to get going tonight.”
Shaughnessy, who joined the Whites in 2016, struggled for first-team chances under United boss Marcelo Bielsa during the first half of the season.
The 22-year-old was a big squad player for Leeds last season under Thomas Christiansen, who started him in League Cup games away to Premier League duo Burnley and Leicester City.
And the young centre-back is hoping that both of those experiences stand him in good stead to handle the pressure of playing at Rangers tonight.
He added: “I played away at Leicester and Burnley in the cup, which were decent occasions. You have to be prepared for what comes your way in big games like that and I think we showed on Saturday that we are ready for that.”
An ankle injury last January brought a premature end to Shaughnessy’s 2017-18 campaign, though Christiansen’s sacking a month later might’ve seen him fall down the pecking order anyway.
The former Leeds boss seemed to be a fan of Shaughnessy, who started 10 games under him, but time will tell whether he can return to Elland Road and impress Bielsa enough to stay in West Yorkshire next season.
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