Rangers face St Joseph’s in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round tie.
Rangers play their first home competitive match of the season on Thursday night, hosting St Joseph’s of Gibraltar in Europa League action.
Having thrashed the minnows 4-0 in the first leg away from home, progression to the second round of qualifying is essentially a sure thing, with Steven Gerrard’s team having killed off the tie already.
It’s a chance then for the Rangers manager to give some fringe players a chance, give some new faces their first taste of competitive action at Ibrox and build fitness in players who need it ahead of greater challenges.
Gerrard has promised there will be changes to the team from the first leg.
Asked where there was a temptation to switch things up given the sizeable 4-0 lead, the Gers boss told the Daily Record: “That will happen. It’s not a temptation, the team will look different tomorrow. It gives me an opportunity to give people an opportunity out there tomorrow so it will look different.”
In goal Wes Foderingham could come in for established number one Allan McGregor to keep him involved with the team and to bring up his match sharpness after getting 45 minutes against Marseille.
At right-back we may even see James Tavernier rested and Matt Polster given his first ever start for the club.
Gerrard said back in April that he wanted to get a strong pre-season in Polster and have him more involved this season than last.
George Edmundson could also get a competitive debut after a solid showing against Marseille on Sunday, with his replacement at half-time Nikola Katic getting minutes alongside him and Connor Goldson given the night off.
At left-back it may be tempting to give some minutes to Andy Halliday but Borna Barisic deserves to retain his place in the team, with too much time lost to injury and fitness issues last season already.
In midfield Greg Docherty is deserving of a chance to show what he can do for the first time under Gerrard. On loan at Shrewsbury last term, he has yet to feature outside of friendly action under the Liverpool icon and this match is a great way to bring him in.
Ryan Jack can offer protection to both Docherty and new signing Joe Aribo, who Rangers fans will relish seeing build on his positive pre-season.
In attack it’s time to unleash Alfredo Morelos. The Colombian striker has had to wait on opportunities over the last few months but a start and another goal or two against St Joseph’s after last week’s could be the perfect confidence booster at the start of the season.
New signings Greg Stewart and Jordan Jones could flank him, getting their first competitive minutes at Ibrox under their belt.
With youngsters like Josh McPake potentially involved from the bench too, it should be an interesting night for the home fans.
Our predicted line-up in full is:
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