Giovanni van Bronckhorst is expected to make a few changes to the Rangers side that came from behind to beat Livingston on Saturday – and here is our predicted XI to take on Union St. Gilloise away from Ibrox, in Belgium.
A surprise outfit last season, Union finished second in the Jupiler League. It was an enormous achievement, not least as it sees them qualify for the Champions League. They now host Rangers in the third round of qualifying.
Rangers, meanwhile, will be without Ryan Kent who has picked up a knock. Ianis Hagi remains sidelined, while Alfredo Morelos was not on the bench against Livingston. The Record say John Souttar has been left at home.
Rabbi Matondo missed Saturday’s win with a knock but he is expected to come back in, and has been included in the squad. New signing Ben Davies has also travelled, as has new left-back Ridvan Yilmaz.
Given the injury issues, there are likely to be a number of changes made by van Bronckhorst. Not least, because the game comes just three days after the club’s first outing of the season at the Tony Macaroni Stadium.
Predicted Rangers XI to take on Union St. Gilloise
We predict van Bronckhorst will make five changes to the side that won 2-1. Allan McGregor’s exploits in Europe have been incredible and it is likely he will come in for Jon McLaughlin, who was arguably out of position for Livi’s goal.
With Souttar missing, new signing Davies could come straight in. Glen Kamara might be given a rest for Ryan Jack, while Matondo might start on the right. Scott Wright was disappointing and that might see Scott Arfield start.
Arfield could play in a deeper, box-to-box midfield role as Rangers might line-up slightly more conservatively, with Matondo and Tom Lawrence out wide – supporting striker Antonio Colak.
Five changes, then: McGregor, Davies, Jack, Matondo and Arfield in for McLaughlin, Souttar, Kamara, Wright and Kent.
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