Predicted Rangers XI to face Legia Warsaw in the Europa League playoffs
Rangers strolled to a comfortable 1-0 victory over St. Mirren in Round 3 of the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, thanks to a wonder goal from Croatian left-back Borna Barisic.
Steven Gerrard maintained Rangers’ perfect start to the season on the domestic front but the Gers will have their work cut out when they play host to Polish giants Legia Warsaw for the second leg of the Europa League playoffs on Thursday night.
Rangers head into the game against Warsaw knowing that they have their fate in their own hands, having been held to a 0-0 draw in the away leg in Poland.
The test at Ibrox is going to be far from easy for the Glasgow outfit, but one that they would need to pass if they are serious about playing in Europe this term.
Team News
Steven Gerrard rotated his eleven against St. Mirren on Sunday, probably with a view to fielding the best set of players in the must-win fixture against Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.
The manager will be wary of the upcoming Old Firm derby against Celtic on Sunday, so he would have to manage his resources accordingly.
Rangers will be without the services of Brandon Barker (hamstring), Eros Grezda (muscle), Graham Dorrans (calf) and Jamie Murphy (cruciate ligament) for the game against the Polish heavyweights.
Predicted Rangers XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Allan McGregor (GK)
The 37-year-old made some crucial saves in the first leg in Poland to deny Legia Warsaw a goal and he is one of the sure starters for the Gers on Thursday.
Jon Flanagan (LB)
Borna Barisic scored a scorcher against St. Mirren but the former Liverpool man did well in the first leg in Poland and he is expected to get the nod ahead of the Croatian.
James Tavernier (RB)
The influential right-back endured a difficult night in Poland last week and Rangers will need him to come up with some of his signature crosses in the do-or-die fixture this time around.
Connor Goldson (CB)
He looked quite vulnerable against Warsaw in the first leg but Filip Helander didn’t convince against St. Mirren either, meaning that the former Brighton man is likely to be preferred in central defence.
Nikola Katic (CB)
The Croatian should be fresh to partner Goldson at the heart of the defence on Thursday after being rested for the league fixture away at St. Mirren on Sunday.
Ryan Jack (CM)
The former Aberdeen man has been a regular for the Gers at the heart of the midfield this season and he definitely deserves to continue as a starter after a series of impressive displays.
Steven Davis (RCM)
The veteran wasn’t quite at his best in the first leg in Poland and Rangers will need him to replicate his domestic form on Thursday if they are to control the game in the midfield.
Joe Aribo (LCM)
The former Charlton man has been an absolute livewire for Rangers in the middle of the park and his drive, determination, physicality and flair are indispensable assets.
Sheyi Ojo (RW)
The Liverpool loanee should be up and running after being rested for the league game against St. Mirren.
Scott Arfield (LW)
The Canadian worked really hard without too much end product in the first leg in Poland and Rangers will need him to make more of an impact this week in the must-win clash.
Alfredo Morelos (ST)
The Colombian goal-machine missed a few chances in the first leg but the onus will be on him to find the net and fire the Gers through to the group stages of the Europa League.
