Rangers host Progres Niederkorn in UEFA Europa League qualifying tonight.
The full match squad is as follows:
Starting XI: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Edmundson, Halliday; Davis, Aribo, Jack; Arfield, Ojo, Morelos.
Substitutes: Foderingham, Barisic, Katic, Kamara, Stewart, Jones, Defoe.
Clearly not in the mood to mess about this evening, Gerrard has fielded a very strong team that he will hope can build a commanding lead ahead of next week’s second leg in Luxembourg.
The headline news is Scott Arfield starting his first competitive match of the season. The Canadian international missed much of pre-season on Gold Cup duty but is back to add midfield drive to Gerrard’s team after getting minutes off the bench last Thursday.
Alfredo Morelos retains his place in the side after a superb hat-trick against St Joseph’s. The Colombian has scored four goals already this summer as he looks to match or better last season’s tally of 30 goals in all competitions.
A solid defensive line has been named in front of Allan McGregor, with full-backs James Tavernier and Andy Halliday sure to be involved in support of attacks on each flank.
Connor Goldson and George Edmundson have been tasked with protecting the Gers centrally.
In midfield new signing Joe Aribo gets another opportunity to build his reputation at Ibrox, supported by experienced duo Steven Davis and Ryan Jack. Whether the former Charlton man is played in a wider left-side role or through the middle remains to be seen.
On the wing Sheyi Ojo has been selected to help supply Morelos, with the Liverpool loanee bright in the early goings of the 2019/20 season.
The bench is looking full of attacking talent too with Jermain Defoe, Greg Stewart and Jordan Jones all capable of causing the opposition defence problems.
A quick, aggressive start will be needed to put the visitors on the back foot and quell any notion of an upset in the fashion of Pedro Caixinha’s 2017 embarrassment.
The Rangers boss has named a team that can do that, now it’s up to those players to deliver the goods and put one foot in the next round.
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