Rangers return to the Champions League away to Ajax this Wednesday, so HITC Sport have looked at a combined XI for the two sides – headlined by Calvin Bassey and Edson Alvarez.
The Ibrox natives have not featured in the group stage of UEFA’s premier club competition since the 2010/11 term. Their hopes of reaching the first proper round of the tournament then ended in the qualifying stages in 2011/12 and 2021/22 alongside Europa League runs.
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Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men overcame Union Saint-Gilloise 3-2 on aggregate to qualify for the group stage of this year’s edition. They will travel to Amsterdam to face Ajax before welcoming Napoli to Glasgow and play a double-header with Liverpool in a tough Group A.
Rangers’ trip to Ajax on Wednesday, September 7 sets up an immediate reunion with their former star, Bassey. The six-cap Nigeria defender left the Premiership giants for the Johan Cruijff ArenA in July for an initial £19.5m, with add-ons possibly raising the figure to £23m.
The Gers’ opening Group A meeting also pits Van Bronckhorst’s squad against Alvarez, who was the subject of late-window interest from Arsenal and Chelsea in the summer sales. But de Godenzonen rejected a farewell after losing Antony, Sebastien Haller and more already.
But despite Manchester United taking Antony for £86m, Lisandro Martinez for £56.5m and Bayern Munich landing Ryan Gravenberch for £21m, Ajax still have a wealth of players who can cause Rangers issues in the Champions League and make HITC Sport’s combined XI…
Remko Pasveer (GK): Ajax star guards the net in a combined XI with Rangers
Ajax star Remko Pasveer guards the net in our combined XI with Rangers ahead of meeting in game one for Group A this Wednesday. The 38-year-old has returned from an injury that ended his 2021/22 season in February to keep three clean sheets over his first five games.
James Tavernier (RB): Rangers captain the star full-back in combined XI with Ajax
James Tavernier will lead Rangers out at Ajax this Wednesday, and makes our combined XI for the Group A fixture. The 30-year-old has delivered three goals and two assists across 10 games so far this season, following striking 18 and creating 17 across 58 matches last term.
Jurrien Timber (CB): Ten Hag’s defensive leader now shining for Schreuder
Jurrien Timber was Erik ten Hag’s defensive leader through the Manchester United coach’s time in charge of Ajax. Now, the 21-year-old is guiding de Godenzonen’s line under Alfred Schreuder through his reading of the game, strong tackles and a natural ability on the ball.
Calvin Bassey (CB): Ajax star earns quick Rangers reunion after summer switch
Bassey earns a quick reunion with Rangers after his summer transfer to Ajax, having got his move to Amsterdam after a sensational showing to help the Gers reach the Europa League final. He grew into his roles at centre-half or left-back after the arrival of Van Bronckhorst.
The Ibrox boss will now hope the potential he saw in Bassey after taking charge in Glasgow also gives him an insight into the 22-year-old’s weaknesses. But Bassey has settled into the Ajax unit with ease in place of Martinez, through his power and aggressive runs from deep.
Borna Barisic (LB): Van Bronckhorst will hope to see defender continue form
Van Bronckhorst will hope to watch Borna Barisic continue his strong start to the season as Rangers visit Ajax. The left-back has two assists through his first 10 appearances this term, and has caused regular problems for opposition defences with his deliveries into the box.
Tom Lawrence (CM): Rangers revelling in summer signing’s early success
Rangers are revelling in Tom Lawrence’s early Ibrox success, after he joined the Gers from Derby County this July. The 28-year-old is a natural forward, but has held central positions in Van Bronckhorst’s plans and has two goals and two assists over five Premiership games.
Edson Alvarez (CM): Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle failed in summer transfer interest
Alvarez emerged as another of Ajax’s highly sought-after players this summer, but was one de Godenzonen managed to keep. Dutch football reporter Mike Verweij told De Telegraaf that Newcastle United were willing to pay €40m (£34.5m) to sign the 24-year-old anchor.
Reports by 90min also claimed Arsenal wanted to take the Argentine to north London over the final days of the market. While Sky Sports noted Chelsea made a £43m bid on deadline day, and De Telegraaf noted he could have earned over €50m over five terms (£165k-a/w).
Kenneth Taylor (CM): All-action Alkmaar native key to Ajax engine room
Kenneth Taylor has been key in Ajax’s engine room so far this term with the Alkmaar-born star’s all-action approach. The 20-year-old has played all five of their Eredivisie fixtures so far, while offering two goals, one assist plus a heap of important tackles and forward runs.
Dusan Tadic (RW): Ajax captain will look to trouble Rangers on Wednesday
Dusan Tadic will look to trouble Rangers when the Gers visit Ajax on Wednesday night. The Godenzonen captain has taken over the right-wing slot in Schreuder’s squad after Antony’s move to Manchester United, and has laid on two assists over his six appearances this term.
Antonio Colak (ST): Rangers striker justifying summer switch from PAOK
Antonio Colak is justifying Van Bronckhorst spending an initial £2m to sign the striker from PAOK in July. Rangers’ new frontman has struck seven goals and laid on one assist over the 28-year-old’s first 10 games with the Gers, including three in Champions League qualifiers.
Steven Bergwijn (LW): Ajax winger reviving career after Tottenham exit
Steven Bergwijn is starting to revive a career that stuttered at Tottenham Hotspur after he left Spurs this July for £26.5m. The 24-year-old now makes our combined Rangers and Ajax XI, having hit seven goals in his first six games at the Dutch giants after eight in 83 at Spurs.
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