Rangers welome Spartak Moscow to Ibrox in Thursday’s Europa League clash and a win could put Steven Gerrard’s side in a brilliant position.
Lassana Coulibaly could have a crucial role to play as Rangers welcome Spartak Moscow to Ibrox in Thursday’s big Europa League clash. That is according to former Gers skipper Lee McCulloch anyway.
Coulibaly has emerged as one of Rangers’ most eye-catching summer signings since arriving on loan from Ligue 1 outfit Angers, providing steel and energy in the centre of the park while offering protection to a youthful centre-half partnership.
And, writing in his column for the Evening Times, McCulloch believes that the 22-year-old Malian international is key to Rangers’ hopes of picking up a second win from three Europa League fixtures.
“In midfield, you have Lassana Coulibaly, who puts himself about and does so much for the team,” McCulloch said.
“He is not a flamboyant footballer, he won’t split defences, but you want a player like that in your team every week, and especially on big European nights.”
Coulibaly is likely to start in the engine room alongside the likes of Ovie Ejaria and Scott Arfield, giving his midfield partners the freedom to push forward and attack a Spartak side who head to Glasgow in crisis.
Spartak, Russian champions in 2017, sacked manager Massimo Carrera this week after falling seven points behind Zenit St Petersburg in the league table.
They have also picked up just one point from a possible six in Europe so a win is almost non-negotiable at this stage.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
