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Rangers predicted lineup vs Progres: Gerrard takes no chances with very strong selection

Steven Gerrard, manager of Rangers on the side line during the Pre-Season Friendly between Rangers FC and Blackburn Rovers at Ibrox Stadium on July...
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Rangers play Progres Niederkorn in Luxembourg on Thursday night.

Steven Gerrard, manager of Rangers on the side line during the Pre-Season Friendly between Rangers FC and Blackburn Rovers at Ibrox Stadium on July 21, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Rangers take on Progres Niederkorn in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tonight with plenty of work to do to kill off the tie.

Steven Gerrard’s side have managed to build a healthy 2-0 lead heading into the encounter but failed to rack up a bigger first leg margin of victory at Ibrox.

A missed penalty and a host of missed chances means a professional and energetic performance will be required from the off on their travels.

Gerrard can’t afford to have one eye on Sunday’s domestic test against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park with European progression so important to the club.

Rangers will know full well that Progres can’t be underestimated after 2017.

Veteran Steven Davis is the only player declared to be missing for the encounter, with a hamstring issue in the wake of Sunday’s match against Derby meaning that Gerrard does not want to risk him.

The Ibrox boss is likely to field a very strong team then, perhaps even the strongest currently available to him.

He made that clear in his pre-match press conference, telling rangers.co.uk: “I said to the players after the Derby game the giving people minutes and the pre-season preparation is gone – we now have to put our foot on the gas and go for real.”

Allan McGregor is the prime pick in goal as always, protected by Connor Goldson and George Edmundson.

Filip Helander has a chance of playing alongside Goldson but having only just made his first start for the club against the Rams at the weekend, his fitness might not quite be there.

Edmundson has been the preferred choice over Nikola Katic in recent weeks.

James Tavernier will be leading his team into the encounter and it could be time to bring Borna Barisic back into things, with the Croatian able to provide a left flank threat in support of Rangers’ attacking midfielders.

Joe Aribo of Rangers vies with Adrian Ferino of Progres Niederkorn during the Europa League Second Qualifying round first leg match between Rangers and Progres Niederkorn at Ibrox Stadium...

In midfield there’ll likely be a bank of three midfielders with Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and new signing Joe Aribo getting the nod.

With Davis out, Kamara is the obvious choice to come in and replace his presence, although Greg Docherty will be hoping he gets his chance.

In this lineup Scott Arfield and Sheyi Ojo will be the ones tasked with providing the attacking support for Alfredo Morelos through the middle.

Gerrard prefers to bring his attacking midfield options into more central areas rather than play as out and out wingers these days and Arfield’s late runs coupled with Ojo’s direct dribbling should be key.

Morelos has started the season in lethal form, scoring four goals already, and deserves to retain his place.

With Jermain Defoe and Jordan Jones also available for selection, the Gers boss has a number of options, shapes and personnel to choose from.

Your predicted lineup in full is:

Rangers XI vs Progres (A)