What kind of team will Rangers manager Steven Gerrard go with in Denmark?
As the madness of the English transfer deadline day rumbles on, Rangers only have one focus.
Steven Gerrard’s side are in Denmark for a UEFA Europa League qualifying tie against Midtjylland, hoping to secure a positive result to bring back to Ibrox next week.
The Danes are likely to pose the toughest test of the Gers’ summer so far and the travelling Rangers team will need to be right up for the fight throughout the 90 minutes.
Midtjylland have won their first four competitive fixtures of the season and have European ambitions, possessing unique threats from set-pieces and boasting stars such as former Scottish Premiership winner Erik Sviatchenko.
It was set-pieces that Gerrard fielded questions on during his pre-match press conference and he is well aware of the dangers the home side possess, however he’s also looking for his own stars to cause havoc at the other end.
As quoted by rangers.co.uk, he said: “It’s an area we put a lot of focus on, certainly from an attacking point of view, we got a lot of success at the weekend. I think with Niko and Connor, and also Filip when he is ready we have guys who have really big, tall profiles who are hungry in the opposition box and can go and cause a threat.”
It seems likely then that he will again go with Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic as his centre-back pairing for tonight’s test, with the duo capable of defending from set-pieces robustly and attacking them with gusto.
Flanked by James Tavernier and Borna Barisic, the four-man defence will have to be at the absolute top of their game to escape with a clean sheet.
Allan McGregor in goal will also have a busy night and must be prepared for a barrage of free-kicks and throw-ins delivered right onto his six-yard line, as warned by TNS boss Scott Ruscoe, who claimed to The Scottish Sun that he’s “never seen a team who are so dependent on high balls into the opposition box.”
In midfield is where Gerrard has the most flexibility and the five he picks are far from guaranteed.
There’s every chance that the trio of Glen Kamara, Steven Davis and Ryan Jack could start. That would be a pragmatic middle three that has already proven to be an effective unit in the second half of last season.
However, Gerrard might show a bit more ambition than that and start Joe Aribo in a deeper position, ready to push forward and probe at the Danish defence.
Scott Arfield could be named further forward, a player who has the work ethic to support defensively as well as link up effectively with a central striker.
Sheyi Ojo had a disappointing game against Kilmarnock but can provide a bit of width if needed. He could also be a vital out ball on the counter, possessing pace and dribbling ability.
Despite transfer rumours surrounding Alfredo Morelos (The Daily Record), the Colombian should be on hand to disrupt the Midtjylland defence and try to secure that crucial away goal.
Your predicted lineup in full is:
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