After edging past Legia Warsaw in the Europa League play-off, Rangers will entertain Feyenoord in their first group stage match at Ibrox later this evening.
Steven Gerrard will be content with his teams start to the season having only lost one game and despite being drawn into a tricky group, last year’s impressive showing in this competition could well be built upon. They’re a year more experienced now and, while challenges lie ahead, a night under the floodlights at Ibrox does always make for quite the occasion.
The Gers beat Livingston 3-1 at the weekend and, because of the nature of the three points, there isn’t much Gerrard will need to change.
The opposition Thursday evening will no doubt prove to be a tougher test for Rangers given their stature both in Europe and in their native Holland but with this starting line-up we predict, it won’t be easy for the Eredivisie giants.
Steven Gerrard will be without Ryan Kent for the Europa League opener as the deadline day signing picked up an injury 40 minutes into his second debut with the club, which is a blow considering his importance to the team.
With Jordan Jones also sidelined, Gerrard will choose from Brandon Barker, Sheyi Ojo and Scott Arfield and we believe the two latter names will occupy the wings for this clash. Indeed, respected fansite Rangers News spoke highly of the pair against Livingston and their greater level of experience could come in handy. Barker, while impressive in his home debut, could perhaps be better served as an impact player, given his pace.
Borna Barisic is expected to be given the nod at left-back with Jon Flanagan still recovering from an operation and so he will not feature. As pointed out by the Herald Scotland, the Croatian might struggle defensively at times, but does offer more an attacking sense. Prior to the Livingston game, he was averaging 4.3 dribbles per game, so could be crucial in taking the game to the opposition, especially at home.
Elsewhere, as he has scored 11 goals in 13 appearances this season, Alfredo Morelos is set to remain in the starting line-up and keep Jermain Defoe on the bench.
How would you line up? Join the discussion by commenting below…
