Rangers play old foes Progres Niederkorn in UEFA Europa League qualifying on Thursday night.
Rangers return to European action on Thursday night, hosting Luxembourg outfit Progres Niederkorn at Ibrox in the second round of UEFA Europa League qualifying.
Gers supporters don’t need reminded that the minnows were the team who dumped Pedro Caixinha’s side out of the competition back in 2017 but it’s the most interesting narrative heading into the encounter.
Steven Gerrard was not involved in that tie of course but spoke in his pre-match press conference this week about having to “right the wrongs” of that exit, so he’ll be looking for his team to produce a ruthless performance that demonstrates just how far the squad has come in two years.
There’ll be no building fitness nor fielding fringe players, the Rangers boss is likely to name as strong an eleven as he can muster right now.
With the ever reliable Allan McGregor in goals, the defensive line will likely feature captain James Tavernier, Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson and Borna Barisic.
There’s an argument for starting marquee signing Filip Helander, who the BBC report was included in the registered squad for the tie, but he is still not quite up to full match sharpness and Gerrard’s tried and trusted defensive four should get the nod.
In midfield Ryan Jack and Steven Davis can provide a bit of stability and help retain possession, while new addition Joe Aribo should be given the chance to continue his impressive start to the season and add attacking ambition from the central positions.
Aribo scored his first goal for the club after a penetrative run into the box against St Joseph’s last week and could be crucial in breaking down the opposition tonight.
In attack Jermain Defoe has been a preferred option over the last few months but it’s time to give Alfredo Morelos his second competitive start in a row after his lethal display in Europe last week.
The Colombian 23-year-old scored a superb hat-trick, taking his total for the season to four already. It’s a contribution that deserves to be rewarded by his manager.
Flanking him could be Jordan Jones and Sheyi Ojo, who were Gerrard’s go-to picks in the first leg against St Joseph’s in Gibraltar.
Gerrard has many more to choose from who could change the shape and look of tonight’s team, such as Scott Arfield, Greg Stewart or Greg Docherty, but this eleven should have an attacking output that proves to be too much to handle for the visitors, with building a healthy first leg lead crucial.
Your predicted lineup in full is:
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