Rangers aim to build on their superb group stage form when they face Antwerp this month
Rangers have named their squad for the upcoming double-header against Royal Antwerp.
Steven Gerrard’s side head into the Europa League’s last 32 full of confidence, having topped a group that featured Benfica, Standard Liege and Lech Poznan without losing a game.
Into the squad come Scott Wright and Jack Simpson, both of whom arrived at Ibrox on the final day of the transfer window.
Jermain Defoe, however, misses out. He was involved earlier in the campaign but left out of the squad for the group stage, and he will remain on the sidelines for the round of 32.
As quoted by Record Sport, Gerrard explained in October: “It doesn’t make sense to ask him to go Thursday-Sunday-Thursday-Sunday at his age and with the injuries he’s had.
“We’ve made a decision to give him a different programme, a tailored programme that is a bit different from the rest so he can put in performances like he did at the weekend.”
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Allan McGregor
Jon McLaughlin
Defenders
James Tavernier
Calvin Bassey
Filip Helander
Connor Goldson
Leon Balogun
Jack Simpson
Borna Barisic
Midfielders
Ianis Hagi
Ryan Jack
Steven Davis
Bongani Zungu
Joe Aribo
Glen Kamara
Scott Arfield
Forwards
Ryan Kent
Greg Stewart
Cedric Itten
Alfredo Morelos
Scott Wright
Kemar Roofe
38-year-old Defoe, who is reportedly the club’s top earner on £65,000 per week, has scored four goals in 12 appearances this season.
The former Tottenham, West Ham and Sunderland man arrived at Ibrox in January 2019, and scored his 300th career goal in Rangers’ 2-0 win against Livingston in October.
The Scottish Premiership leaders take on Antwerp in Belgium on February 18, with the return leg in Glasgow on February 25.
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